Discipline+Philosophy



How do I intend to manage my classroom?
I think the best way to control a classroom is through the least severe means possible. I believe that you should create a comfortable, shared learning space that reciprocates respect for the students. If you come off as authoritarian they will want to push the limits, but a sense of shared respected, shared space, shared time, etc, levels the playing field a bit and the students feel they have a stake in the classroom and will be less likely to abuse it or class time. I believe that the rules should be simple, clear, celary conveyed and enforced. Consistency is a wonderful way to control a classroom because they know what to expect and they respect you for actually following through - they're less likely to attempt to violate rules if they're sure a consequence will follow. I also believe in simple things like keeping them active, engaged, busy, motivated, talking, moving, etc. The less down time they have the less time they'll have to be bored or want to break the rules. I'm also a fan of proximity. If you see two students talking, there is no reason to embarrass them or call them out in front of the entire class, you can get the same result by walking towards them as you continue your lesson. I also think praise is highly appropriate and effective.

I know to veteran teachers this may seem altruistic and naive, but I have other steps to fall back in for those students who are defiant. I still believe in an incremental scale, start with simple fixes like proximity, a glance, removing a distraction from their desk, etc. Then move up to still simple yet slightly more invasive techniques like a seat change near your desk or the front of the room. I would also rely on talking to the student after class and notifying parents or guardians of the issue before I would resort to holding the student after school or involving administration. Ideally I would like to keep classroom management issues within my room and exhaust every possible avenue for addressing the problem before further complicating it by taking unnecessary measures.