I vow to never raise my voice because what’s the point? When have you ever listened to a person who was yelling at you? When has anyone ever been inspired by or attracted to a yelling person? “Oh hey, that person is yelling, we should all listen and take into consideration whatever it is he’s saying,” said nobody, EVER. So, one of my rules that I will stick to, above all else, is that I will not raise my voice. If student chatter becomes too loud, or if they need to stop talking altogether, then I will ask once, and then one more time. If students do not quiet down after the 2^nd request, then I will start handing out referrals. I refuse to raise my voice, but I’m not going to set aside time to ask them for silence more than twice. I’ve realized after working with middle schoolers that they were taught how to come to attention in 6^th grade, and they know better than to challenge a teacher’s request. I plan to lay that law down on the first day of classes, and I do not mind making an example of anyone who challenges me. I’m committed to this because I’ve never liked people who yell, and I think it makes teachers look like they don’t have control when they have to yell. I think giving a warning is fair, but students will only get one warning. The next time I have to quiet them down outside of the first two requests, they will be referred.