Just keep learning!

I want to admit that I was probably the world's worst teacher that first year. Sometimes I wish I could go back and shake hands with all my students and apologize. I also truly believe that any teacher who thinks that they were perfect their first year, is lying to themselves. No one gets this job just right the first year. 

I knew that with experience I would get better, but I also knew that I had a long way to go until I had the hang of this teaching thing. So, I decided to work on ONE thing that summer to get better. I chose classroom management. That was the summer that I read Wong - The First Day's of School. I know that book and Wong's theories are controversial now, but the point is, I reflected on my teaching and chose to improve something. I also talked to a lot of other teachers to get tips and tricks for managing their classrooms. Of course, things were a lot different in the '80s. What I mostly heard was, "Don't smile 'til Christmas!" 

I always hear and have always heard from teachers that good classroom management comes from establishing relationships. This is true, but you have to have the management down first or there's no time to build relationships. The two are so codependent that it's like asking, "Which came first? The chicken or the egg?" 

After reading and learning, when I went back into the classroom that next year, I started using three techniques that I still use in some way shape or form even now. 

First, I ALWAYS have some sort of warm-up. I use all kinds of activities that get the kids working the minute they get settled in. For example, some days they have to answer some questions about the previous day's content. Sometimes, I have a simple short reading with a couple of questions to introduce today's topic. Sometimes, it is even turning in their work to the proper place and setting up their notes for the day. Basically, something to get the students on task the minute they walk in the door. This sets the tone that the classroom is for learning. 

Secondly, I ALWAYS take attendance aloud. There's a couple of reasons for this. There are days that the class is going to be so busy that the only time I get a chance to say something to each student is during attendance. I always call role and make sure to make a positive comment to each and every kid. Takes about 10 seconds per student, but establishes those relationships right off the bat. I always start my class with, "Class has started, I need your attention as I call the role." 

Thirdly, I DO NOT have classroom rules. We have procedures. I have them written and posted up in the front. In today's world, I even have a video that I use so that parents can see the procedures as well. I teach the procedures throughout the semester.  These have never failed me.  Students don't get written up for not following procedures. I just do a little reteaching. After we get to know each other, or if I feel that the classroom is not running like it should, I have been known to ask the kids how we can improve the procedures. You know what, they usually have a way better idea than I could ever come up with on my own. We just adjust the classroom procedures and move on. 

Now, 38 years in, I still reflect on my teaching. This summer I want to learn more about moving from a safe space to a brave space. I know my classroom is a safe place, my students tell me that all the time. In fact, parents tell me AND our administration that as well. So, I want to take it up a notch. I want to create a brave space. 

So, you see, that is how I have lasted as long as I have and will be here a few more years. I am always learning something new. I promised myself when I started that I would not get stuck in a rut and I haven't. 

What do you plan to learn this summer?