Teach Your Children-Crosby, Stills and Nash

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.

And never forget "The Heart of Teaching," outlined perfectly here.

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.