Touchstone 8

I create an oasis of safety and respect in my classroom.

In an ideal classroom, learning occurs in an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety. Students and teachers demonstrate respect for each other, mistakes are opportunities for improvement, and teachers coach their students to mastery. This can only exist when thoughtful teachers purposefully create this atmosphere of learning through planning and strategies.

Another essential part of teaching is being able to manage a classroom of students. If a classroom is in chaos, students will not feel secure, and very little learning will occur. A teacher can be an expert in content, but if he/she cannot create a safe and respectful learning environment, then it is impossible to teach. Harry Wong says, "If you are not managing your classroom, then your students are managing it for you" (Wong, 2014). Some teachers have a knack for managing a classroom. All teachers can learn techniques that will help.

First of all, a teacher can let each student know they are important by smiling, giving eye contact, and greeting them at the door by name. From the moment they enter the classroom, they know they have been acknowledged. The simple act of greeting each student can change the tone of a school or classroom, as has been seen in a high school in Brockton, Massachusetts and the A.B. Combs School in Raleigh, North Carolina (Wong, 2013). Jesus, a wise teacher who lived 2000 years ago, taught his followers to respect others when he said, "Treat others the way you would have them treat you." This is still true today and should be applied in the classroom.

Secondly, teachers that are prepared when their students enter the room and have set procedures in place, have taken important steps towards managing their classrooms and preventing problems. Harry Wong asks,

Are you the teacher who barely makes it to school on time and scrambles to organize yourself and your lessons while the students are left staring and waiting and waiting for you to begin the class? Your frenzy has just set the tone for what is to follow (Wong, 2013).

To create calm, instead of frenzy, a teacher can prepare the room, the seating arrangements, and lessons ahead of time, so that he/she is free to welcome the students. A teacher who has posted or prepared procedures for tasks such as getting started, taking attendance, and turning in homework demonstrates preparedness that also helps create an atmosphere of stability.

Thirdly, no matter how wonderful or prepared the teacher is, there will be problems. When behavioral problems occur, and they will, teachers need to address the issue immediately and take action. It also helps to stay calm, not act shocked or angry, and remain in control.

Many times, we don't even know the difficulties or struggles our students face. They come to us with a life outside of our classrooms that we are often unaware of, and that we have no control over. However, inside of our classrooms, we can create an environment of security and safety, where students are accepted and can relax and learn. We can also help them learn by giving them constructive, growth-oriented feedback to help them reach their learning potential.

References

Wong, H. & Wong, R. (2013, October). Effective Teaching. Teachers Net Gazette, Retrieved from

https://www.teachers.net/wong/OCT13/wongprint.html

Wong, H., Wong, R., Jondahl, S. & Ferguson, O. (2014). THE classroom management book. Harry K. Wong

Publications.