Motivation

  Teachers can increase attendance and promote student success through meaningful relationships with students. You can reach a student by finding out what their interests and backgrounds are and getting them "hooked" by creating lessons/ activities they can connect with. Learning should be fun. Students should have choices and options. I believe enthusiasm is contagious, if you get excited about learning, so will your students. Walls should be creatively decorated and interesting but not overdone and distracting. Finding balance in all aspects is vital. All students can learn if reached. Students have different needs. Multiple teaching strategies can motivate students. I also believe recognizing their successes can help them continue doing well. Whittier has an award program for students who are doing well. Students forming close relationships can also be motivational; a few examples of this would be having class meetings or group assignments.

Management

  "Humans need belonging. Misbehavior is the result of a child’s mistaken assumption about the way that they can find a place and gain status."

-Rudolf Dreikurs' social learning theory

  The key to creating good relationships is establishing mutual respect. From my experiences, the teachers who I hold high respect for are the ones who take the time and energy to get to know their students. They are the ones who don't make mountains out of mole hills. They are the ones who never give up. They are the ones who understand that sometimes it’s important to take a break. Good communication, a healthy environment and taking a breather are effective strategies to classroom management. Many schools have a step by step disciplinary plan that teachers are expected to follow. The first level of that is usually something like a warning and time out. I think time outs are great not just for students but also for teachers and the rest of the class. When students are trying to get attention, control, revenge, or are acting helpless, I plan to follow Rudolf Dreikurs social discipline model. I think that model works really well for individual students. For example, if the class as a whole is acting out (talking loud or off track) this is what I might use a clapping system or add/remove privileges. Another strategy for management I borrow from Mrs. Frockowiak. I noticed her chair was not at her desk but in the middle of the class, good for supervision and involvement.  It’s important for students to know what is expected of them. Establishing boundaries and setting expectations and sticking to them is also very essential in the classroom.