To successfully manage a classroom, teachers need to know how to work with their feelings, assertiveness, and reactions in times of challenging classroom situations. While we cannot change ourselves, we can find ways to adjust and monitor our behavior. Once you know your own personality and management style, you can then use that information to prevent discipline problems.
You can start gaining more insight with this mini self-assessment, one of many on the web designed to help you get a better idea of your personality.
A mentor, coach or classroom management expert can identify those specific areas that often get in the way of making good classroom management decisions. He or she can also give you advice on those specific areas you especially need to pay attention to help focus on your students. Here are some tips and tricks you can already use to monitor your behavior:
1. Wait before you respond to classroom incidents. New teachers tend to respond quickly as a way to reinforce their authority. Before reacting, take a few more seconds to think through your actions allowing you to think more thoughtfully and clearly.
2. Spend time observing your students and how they react to their peers, to different tasks and interact with you. If you can, try to observe a challenging/difficult student in another teacher’s class. By acting as a shadow, you will gain valuable insight about that particular student.
3. Start your day as relaxed as possible. Your mood has a great impact in the classroom. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be for you to deal with stress. And the more positive you’ll feel about your teaching abilities too.
4. Use reflective writing techniques to document growth. A learning log or teaching journal enhances the process of teacher growth and helps with self-doubt and uncertainity that is part of the stress of managing a classroom. Teachers can rethink what happened in class, what worked and didn’t work to meet their instructional goals, and how their teaching behaviors can change or improve.
5. Collaborate with other teachers. Teachers can begin with an inquiry-based format. Teachers ask themselves questions and then seek answers through collaboration with other teachers.
6. Get as much information you can about your classes and students. Start the school year on the right foot by doing pre-assessments, questionnaires and listening to your students. Developing a good solid relationship with your students is key for preventing discipline problems. Take advantage of the summer with an online classroom management course to also point you in the right direction.
7. Monitor your thoughts and words. What you say and think about yourself is very powerful. Believe in yourself and learn to say positive things about yourself.
The more information you know about yourself and your students, the more confident and prepared you will be. So don’t be afraid to work it and you’ll soon see the fruits of your hard work!