The Secret Student Behavior Management Strategy
Abbey D. Krahling
Introduction
As young, pre-service teachers, we are constantly seeking
out resources to enhance our teaching, whether it be for
worksheets, enrichment games, or behavior management
strategies. One of the leading ways is through social media,
specifically Instagram and Tiktok. While searching through
social media, I came across a behavior management trend
that many teachers are using: the secret student. Some
teaching trends on Tiktok seem too good to be true.
Behavior management techniques differ from teacher to
teacher and the same strategy may work better for some
and not others. The images below are from Tiktok.
Objectives
My research was based on the implementation of the
secret student behavior management strategy. It is a
trending technique on social media and used by many
teachers on Tiktok. A student in the classroom was
chosen as the secret student. Their behavior was
monitored throughout the day and verbalized by the
teacher to set an example for the expectations all of
the students. My goal was to explore the
effectiveness of social media behavior management
trends. If all of the teachers on Tiktok claim that the
secret student strategy works, then it should be a
common practice for early elementary students. From
this technique, I wanted to see a change in my
students’ behavior from problem to positive. I looked
significantly decreased after the
for the students to follow directions, remain on task,
staying quiet, increased participation, and staying in
their designated areas.
Lebanon Valley College - West Hanover Elementary School - Central Dauphin School District
Results Application to Future Teaching
The problem behaviors that I noted during my class were as Behavior management is a part of teaching that I feel
follows: is experimental. One system that works for a veteran
• Failing to remain on-task during a whole group or individual teacher may not always work best for an incoming
activity teacher like myself. After using the secret student
strategy, I feel confident that I can apply it to my
• Not following teacher instructions
• Talking when not permitted
future classroom and not only have it be successful,
but be an engagement tool for my students. I noticed
• Lack of participation in whole-group instruction
that my first graders would attempt to guess which
• Being out of a designated area (desk, carpet spot, etc.) classmate was the secret student, or they would think
The chart below shows the date from a day prior to the they were the secret student and display their very
implementation of the secret student behavior management best behavior. I believe that behavior differs
strategy and a random day that is at least four weeks after the
system’s implementation.
depending on the grade level; however, I also believe
Classroom Disruptions Occurrences
that the secret student behavior management strategy
14
is a system that will work for most elementary grade
12
levels.
Self-Reflection
10
Throughout my research, I learned that no matter how well
8
a technique is thought-out, there will always be flukes in
6 the system. I made a certificate for the secret student each
day that acknowledged their model behavior and how
4
proud I was that they were able to follow directions and set
an example for their peers. I was unable to give a certificate
2
to secret students whose behavior was not a good example
0 to others or if their behavior needed to be redirected
Failing to Stay On Task Not Following Teacher Directions Talking Out Of Turn Lack of Participation Being Out of Designated Area
November 2nd December 9th multiple times. Overall, the secret student technique was a
success for my first graders.
Acknowledgments
I would like to acknowledge my cooperating teacher, Deb
Hauf, for allowing me to experiment with and implement
The problem behaviors the secret student strategy in her classroom. I would also
like to thank my students for participating in my study.
implementation of the secret
student behavior management They were wonderful participants and made my project
strategy. engaging and enjoyable.