Well nowadays, corporal punishment in schools is not allowed. Good thing, because I bet Tim's paddle really hurt! Your question is difficult with no single answer. I do know that part of the solution resides with the parents of the difficult children. Getting them involved is a priority. We also have special classes for difficult children for whom other solutions have failed. The teachers in these classes have special training in psychology and other fileds which helps them to teach these students and also amend their behavior.

When I was in school, one of our teachers had a wooden paddle about the same size and shape as a cricket bat. It was used on the backside of disobedient and/or disrespectful students. One day, some of the boys took the paddle and brought in to the woodworking shop in school. They then drilled twenty or thirty holes about an inch around, then replaced the paddle. The teacher was so happy. He said it would reduce resistance from the air so it would strike harder, plus the holes would leave lots of welts (bruises). The teacher was right!

And you try to yell at them to bring up grades and more!

i have read both answers and now i think that the teacher who teachs difficult children, should know special psycology of the difficult students. and up to my experience i use to be friendly and patient to them, it works )).