My Experience In Classroom Management

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n my current job setting as a substitute teacher, I have found my greatest weakness to be consistency with classroom management. Even as an experienced teacher who arrives early so that I can be prepared for the day, I sometimes find it difficult to step into a strange classroom, read over the plans, locate materials, familiarize myself with the management system currently in place (if it is provided), and attempt to enforce and carry on with a smooth and flawless day. It has been my experience that students quickly push boundaries, and behave in ways that are out of the ordinary when a substitute is present. I know that I need to improve and strengthen my proficiency in classroom management by having strategies that will prevent misbehavior…show more content…
Typically each morning I introduce myself to my new group of children, and I remind them that their teacher has given me all of the plans for us to have a successful day. I let them know that I might do things a little different than their classroom teacher, so everyone will need to practice flexibility and patience. I usually remind students that their teacher has high expectations for them while she is gone, and I have high expectations for them as well. It isn’t time to lower the bar, just because we don’t know each other very well. However, I have discovered that although I do mention that I have high expectations for my students, I often neglect to clearly communicate what those expectations are. So, my first step toward better classroom management as a substitute is to be specific when communicating my expectations. Examples may include the…show more content…
Often classrooms already have an established reward system. If that is the case, and it is easy for a substitute to understand and utilize, I will use the established system. However, sometimes it is not easy for a guest teacher to implement the incentives and rewards that the regular classroom teacher uses to motivate their students to stay on task and make good choices. As a substitute, it is smart to have a personal reward system that can be carried out from class to class. One example of an easy reward system is to give each student a Post-it note for their desk, or even a simple 3 x 5 card. Each time I catch a student being good, I can them a stamp or a punch on their card. The top 3-5 students with the most punches at the end of the day will receive a small reward (stickers, candy, a simple prize, 10 minutes of free time). I believe by incorporating these changes to the strategies I use in the classroom, I will greatly improve my success in classroom management. As a teacher, I will feel more in control of my environment, and at the same time, students will feel they are being taught by a trusted and engaging adult. Establishing myself as a leader that students can trust to be in control of their classroom environment will help us all to work together in a more productive and rewarding
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