Ten Things I Will Do...
When I have my own classroom, I want my students to feel that they are in a safe environment where their opinions matter and where they feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts without being laughed at or ridiculed. Aside from the content learning that will be taking place, I feel that it is equally important for students to feel accepted and respected in the classroom. As a classroom teacher I will:
- Establish an environment where the students feel comfortable to speak openly and freely about events of the classroom. I will try to make classroom circle discussions a weekly event in my classroom.
- Celebrate and respect the identities of every student in my classroom. It is important for students to know that the teacher cares as much about them as an individual as they care about them as a student. When students have a chance to show a part of themselves to their teacher and classmates they will feel more comfortable.
- Grade students work fairly and keep students work organized. I know that most students put a lot of time and effort into their work and take pride in what they produce. I will hand back assignments, homework, papers etc. in a timely fashion so that students work maintains their value and so that students can use their work as a tool in learning.
- Follow the same rules that my students are expected to follow, in order to show students the same respect that I expect from them. I will always act professional and maintain my role as a teacher. I will be on time, respect their belongings as well as space and not talk down to them.
- Allow students to be a part a functional part of the classroom. I will make sure that students have tasks, that rotate every week or so, in order to not show favoritism and make sure that every student has an equal chance to do things around the classroom.
- Speak to students in a reasonable tone. Yelling at students make them feel less of a person and takes up so much valuable learning time. I will find other ways let students know when that they’re behavior is not acceptable and do other things, such as revoking privileges, to discipline students.
- Communicate the good and the bad with parents and/or guardians. I want students and parents to know that the child’s education is a matter between his or self, their parent and the teacher. I want them to know that the good and the bad will be emphasized to the parent to ensure that the parent is always aware of the child’s performance in the classroom.
- Allow ample opportunities for parents to be involved in the classroom. In order to show that there is not much separation between school and home and that the classroom is a friendly environment open to all, I will provide parents with opportunities to be a functional part of my classroom. Parents will be allowed to volunteer in the classroom, help with special projects, and be chaperones.
- Always allow my students to have a break from the day, whether it is free time or recess. Because I hope to have a classroom of younger children, I think it is important for them to have a time of the day that is not focused on rigorous academics. Young children have a lot of energy and if they do not have a way to release that energy they will be restless and unable to focus.
- Encourage students to participate in all activities that involve the entire classroom. I do not want any of my students to feel left out and I also want my students to have a chance to be exposed to many different things and have different experiences. Children always remember the activities in which they participated, especially if they were not too enthused with it at first. When they look back on their school experience, these will be the most memorable experiences and they will probably realize that they actually had fun and remember the educational value behind the activity.