James Talks to Teachers Chapter 7

FIRST of all, Fear. Fear of punishment has always been the great weapon of the teacher, and will always, of course, retain some place in the conditions of the schoolroom. The subject is so familiar that nothing more need be said about it.
The same is true of Love, and the instinctive desire to please those whom we love. The teacher who succeeds in getting herself loved by the pupils will obtain results which one of a more forbidding temperament finds it impossible to secure. (p,25)


James is correct on both of these accounts.  Fear continues to be a tool that holds a place of honor in most classrooms.  While most teachers understand the impact of connecting with a student to solicit a positive response to love and kindness unfortunately this one sometimes takes a back sear.  I believe most teachers would prefer to teach from the position of love, it is very difficult to be consistent.  I wonder if why teachers that begin their career because of their love for children often end up managing the classroom with fear.  Or maybe it is because of how they were taught.  There is a part of me that believes that as long as we live in a society in that maintains boundaries and rules for its citizens then we must as teachers let students know that there are consequences for their actions.  But my first position is that kids want to please and once they recognized the love that a teachers has for her students they are constantly seeking that affirmation.