Classroom management has always been a concern for me, as it has for many prospective teachers. I often tell people I aim to teach high school English and I cannot count how many times people have considered my goal to be brave. I look forward to managing a classroom of young adults. I hope to establish a classroom where all individuals treat and are treated with respect. I plan to establish class rules on the first day of class and remain consistent in responding to disruptive classroom behavior. I found that my learning experiences in high school were most pleasant and productive when my teachers cultivated a community in which all of us valued respect. Where I plan to establish this same communal feel, I hope to show that respecting others can manifest in a variety of ways, including being kind, listening to what others have to say, being polite, and even sharing. Another idea I would like to try is to arrange the desks in my classroom in a U-shape, to cultivate that community feel and to limit how many kids are on the back row. The text for this course was incredibly helpful in showing me how to manage my future classroom. I plan to incorporate many tactics mentioned in order to maintain a productive learning environment, including standing near a disruptive student, redirecting their attention to the lesson, and maintaining a confident, patient demeanor. I previously stated I wanted my desks arranged in a U-shape. My hope is that this, while contributing to the community feel would also prevent students from doing anything disruptive in front of their peers. I also plan to maintain a positive classroom environment by establishing high expectations of my students, emphasizing the importance of communication, and guiding positive classroom discussions. I truly look forward to managing my own classroom and feel better prepared to handle the challenges of managing a classroom of young adults. I hope to be able to instill many fine qualities in my students while providing an excellent education.
References Eggen, D. K. (2017). Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc.