Dealing with trouble Middle School Students in class

Looking back into my 1st year teaching 4 years ago I have had some interactions with students that we can call...memorable. I will never forget that one class. The one class we have all had and mine happened to be on my first day of my first year. Now I am man enough to admit that I had truly no idea how to handle these students and felt completely lost. Ever since that one class... Each year for me has been much easier but it truly has been trial and error as I have began my journey into being the best educator possible.

The first thing that I had to realize was that being the drill Sargent was not going to work nor was being their friend. Somehow I had to find a happy medium to where my best teaching strategy lied. Needless to say I am still searching and do not admit to being the best teacher when it comes to difficult children but I do feel like I have learned quit a bit in my adventures so far. One thing that I know for sure and will argue to to core with anyone is that we need to treat these students like they are people...because they are. Students are people and need to be treated like so. They want to fit in, be liked, get boyfriend/girlfriends just like everyone else. They need to be spoken to like they are people as well. Nothing I cant stand is watching television shows and movies (especially the ones where they portray the "stereotypical" P.E. teacher that we all love) and they speak to kids like there animals. To keep this relatively short without wasting your entire afternoon Ill stop at this last point....TO JUST SAY SORRY. Sometimes teachers make mistakes... I know I have looking back to my 1st year teaching with that one class. If you havn't tried it the next time you "blow up" on a student (yelling) or wrongly accuse one of something try saying your sorry and you will see how much their attitude changes.

What are some ways that you hand the difficult students or students?