Blog #2

Many teachers who believe in student-centered learning struggle to give up teacher-centered management. What do you think about Garrett's premise? Why do you think teachers struggle with this? 

I think one of the biggest struggles I can see has to do with time-management. Having many student-led or student-centered activities can take time. Allowing students to take their time and really dig into their own learning can be time consuming. On the other hand, having children self-manage their behavior, can take time as well. If you allow students to be in charge of their own behaviors and classroom management, I can see the worry that it will cut into academic time being a valid one. I think it may be a struggle for some teachers as well because they may begin to question their role if they aren't necessary for management and learning. I think that our main function as a teacher is to be a guide, and really to present information and questions and let their brains get to work. 

Where is your "sweet-spot" on the continuum? Why do you believe that location is the best fit for you?

I know that my spot is similar to Gus's, but I am just fine with that! I think that his classes are usually very student led, with lots of opportunities for collaboration, but also there is plenty of guidance. I want the students to learn from me, and know that learning from their teacher is important, but I also want them to understand that really, we all learn together! I believe that some of the best learning comes from authentic interactions, whether that be teacher/class, student/student. or teacher/student. I love the idea of letting students know that we are a unit, and as such, we learn together. When I make a mistake, I am the first to say "I learned something new!" I hope that my students learn to love that phrase too, and we approach new challenges together. 

Blog #1

• How are your initial thoughts about management already changing or being reinforced?

I’ll be completely honest, this is one of the aspects of teaching that intimidates me most. I see how my daughter’s teachers manage their classrooms, and the video observations, as well as my childcare experience, and it still seems like such a difficult task, at least to do well. I really enjoyed the 3 principles of classroom management that we read about and discussed. I think that personal responsibility is such an important concept for children and really, if we can teach children how to manage their own behavior, there is so much less work involved for us as the teacher. 

• How do Charles' three purposes for management (he calls it classroom discipline) complement each other? 

I think that when they are all taught together, they effectively take the work off the teacher’s shoulders. Students learn that they have choices and their voice is important, they also learn that they choose their behavior and are responsible for those choices. That sense of ownership really makes children feel more involved. 

• Which authority base are you most attracted to? Why that one?

I would say the referent authority. I do want students to know that I am rooting for them, that I care, and I understand that we cannot be “friends,” but I do want them to have that security that I am on their team. I want them to manage themselves because they want to, because they know that it’s in their best interest and I ask them to do the things I do because it’s for them, not just for me. I feel like this base is the closest to how I want to approach my classroom management.