How to show authority in the classroom?

Establishing "authority" is not really what you are being criticized on. Establish the best learning environment and tone in the room you desire is what your focus needs to be. You already have "authority" since you are much older than the children. There are a number of strategies teachers use when establishing the kind of tone we want in the classroom. I'll give you a few and you can take it from there:

1. Boundaries need to be set and children love to push boundaries. Setting boundaries means making sure the boundaries can be adhered and are not unreasonable. Only one person should be speaking. If you are speaking then you expect to be the only one speaking. Do not compromise on this. Getting everyone's attention can be a challenge. A very simple and effective strategy is to raise your hand. You'll be amazed at how quickly the students will catch on. Do not try to talk over them.... ever.

2. Reinforce good behaviour with, " I love how hard James is working right now" or.... "I really like it when I see how hard you all are working" or...." Thank you Mark for being such a good listener."

3. With some of the more active children who insist on imposing their will and want to get into a power struggle with you, a time-out area can often be very effective. The student is sent to an area where he/she will be the least disruptive and when he grows tired of being in isolation then he will want to be included. At that time he returns but is not allowed to re-enter the "circle" of activity until he asks your permission. It will be evident that you are the one in control and not the pupil.

Integrating pupils with special needs can be effectively done. While they require more attention it is their aptitude that is deficient, not their manners. They respond to positive reinforcement just like anyone else. If they are refusing to do the work required and provided the work you are requiring is within their ability then you may have to wait them out. As long as they are not taking away from the learning experience of others then sometimes you have no choice but to simply let them sit there until they realize that they are not going to win. If they are being a distraction or disruptive have none of it. It means they are trying to get a bigger share of the pie and you as a professional need to realize that you have an obligation to all of your pupils, not just the ones who want all of the attention.

I do not know if you have ever invited the parents of those children creating issues for you but as a student teacher have that right and should have the regular classroom teacher's blessing. Getting the parents on board even as a student teacher is the professional thing to do.

i have exactly the same problem, its because they know that we are not in charge and the class teacher is. you just need to perserverve with it and make sure you use the disipline system of you r class/give warnings. Also maybe talk to the class teacher as she'll know the children better than you.

I've always wondered about this. Be courteous, but you have to establish a presence. Challenge them one on one. Give them a hard problem to do on the board (or ask them a hard question) and make them ask for help. ;) That might do the trick.