CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

I believe that effective and inspiring classroom management begins with getting to know your students on a level that goes beyond mere occupational obligation.  It is important to quickly learn and use student names, and to make an effort to establish personal connections by finding out as much as possible about each student’s unique qualities and experiences.  This demonstrates that, as a teacher, I am both interested in them as people, and committed to teaching them as individuals.  

I would like to let students know on the first day of class that I have significant expectations for their behavior and classroom success, while also making it very clear that they are all wholly capable of meeting those expectations.  This will help students understand how learning and progress will be valued in the classroom, and establish from the outset a classroom culture that is consistent and supportive.  It will also promote the idea of student responsibility.  I hope to give the students the tools they need to grow, while also encouraging them to invest in their own education experience.  A balance between consistency and adaptability will help to empower students to engage with the material while also being held accountable for their own behavior and work products (https://www.educationworld.com).

In regard to the physical classroom space, I will work to build an environment that is lively and inspiring, and workspace where students feel freedom to move and create organically. I will make particular effort to cultivate an inclusive space that recognizes and celebrates diversity of all kinds, displaying artists and works from different cultures and experiences.

When it comes to classroom rules and procedures, I would like to ask for students to contribute their ideas about what would make a safe and dynamic learning environment.  These contributed guidelines can be displayed with other foundational classroom expectations for student reference. 

Some foundational rules I would like to have in my classroom are:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect

  • Be a good listener

  • Always put forth your best effort

  • Do not be afraid to ask questions

  • Take care of the classroom, your workspace, and class materials

Taking proactive steps to building a strong, supportive learning community will help to prevent certain classroom misbehaviors, but when challenges with student behavior do arise I would like to handle them with empathy, allowing students to maintain their dignity even in less-than positive situations.  This will not allow the students to escape responsibility, but will hold them accountable with a degree of understanding and curiosity, while communicating that they are capable of making positive behavioral choices.  (https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/responding-to-misbehavior-with-empathy/).  Consequences for disruptive behavior will be clearly communicated alongside other classroom expectations, and will be consistently enforced.  

Some consequences that I would utilize in my classroom:

  • Verbal warning/student conference (minor or first time offense)

  • Written assignment reflecting on the effects of their negative behavior

  • Conference with parents/guardians (continued offenses)

Finally, in my classroom I will make a point to pay attention to and learn from my students, adapting the classroom management approach as necessary to best serve the needs each student group.