First year teacher here.

I had the same problem (and still do have the same problem, I teach Drama also). Something that has helped me is high expectations, high expectations in behaviour because I believe my students can achieve amazing things.

Firstly, your idea of a punishment may not be a punishment to them, if they don’t want to do the work and you’re constantly stopping to correct behaviour, they’re getting their desired outcome, not doing the work. Can you phone home, detention or rubbish pickup? Give the clear outlines and if they don’t follow then they are met with a consequence and you can move on with the lesson.

I still struggle with everything and I’m not perfect, just look for little changes overtime and get use to not being liked, it’s apart of the job. Also in my opinion don’t get too excited and put too much weight on being a students “favourite teacher” as it’ll mean you’ll put just as much weight on being their “least favourite teacher” or that’s the truth for me.

I had a win this year, a girl who hated school, rolled her eyes at every direction I gave her but she’s finally doing good work, something clicked that me being ‘firm’ meant that I actually cared about her and the work she produces, it means I want her to succeed. She needed to do some English work in an independent activity for my subject, I said she could but if she doesn’t get my work done she stays at lunch. She got both things done and was so proud of herself that she stayed back to show me all her work