This week I’ve been asked to speak to a group of university
students hoping to become secondary teachers about classroom management. This is kind of funny for me because I don’t
think I have the best classroom management advice, my classroom may often appear
out of control to the casual observer.
This opportunity also got me thinking about what are the
characteristics of good classroom management?
And more importantly, what are the most important things to know for
students considering a career in teaching?
After a lot of brainstorming, I’ve narrowed it down to five
important pieces of advice for future teachers and for classroom management. I’d love to hear what other things teachers
think are important for the next generation of teachers:
Things to know in
general:
1.
Question
Asking questions is one of the most important things for a
teacher to do. I don’t mean just asking
students questions, I mean questioning why we do things, questioning students
about what worked and what didn’t, questioning administrators to ensure there
is a sound purpose behind what teachers are asked to do, questioning ourselves
about how we can get better at what we do.
2.
Be professional
As a teacher, you are a professional with the immense
responsibility of educating future citizens, conduct yourself accordingly. Be professional in your interactions with
students, colleagues, parents and other professionals. Be professional in your appearance, actions
and behavior at all times.
3.
Don’t shut your door-engage
Engage with students, colleagues, support staff, parents,
the community, other teachers in your district.
The more you get involved, the more you will learn and each person you
come into contact with can teach you something about how to be a better teacher.
4.
Learn how to say no
It’s true as a teacher you will be asked to do many
things-coach a sport, sponsor a club, serve on a committee. It’s true it is important to get involved in
your school community and that getting to know students outside of the
classroom can do wonders for classroom management. However, it’s also true that if you don’t
take care of yourself as a person, you won’t be the best teacher you can
be. Coaching and advising does not
necessarily make you a better teacher, and if you take on too much, it can make
you worse.
5.
Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know whether it be to
students in class, or to other teachers in your school. If you need help, find out who knows the
answer, ask and figure it out.
Classroom
Management Tips:
1.
Be clear from the beginning
2.
Be consistent and fair
3.
Don’t expect kids to do things you aren’t
willing to do yourself
4.
Don’t engage in confrontations
5.
Choose your battles
Here are a few more ideas.
A few more
practical tips:
1.
Learn how the copy machine works right away.
2.
Learn how to unjam a stapler.
3.
Re-fill the paper in the printer and the copier,
be considerate.
4.
Fan your papers so you don’t have to lick your
fingers when passing papers out.
5.
On the first day of school, if there are any
really hard names, just skip them and
then ask, “is there anyone whose name I
didn’t call?” When the student says
their name, write down how to pronounce it.
