Classroom Management

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Home : 2003 : November : 20

Classroom Management
By Kathy

I think if I were in your position I would ask my administrator to be more specific about what he means by "needs to work on classroom management." Tell him you want to improve, but that specifics would help you. What misbehaviors
exactly does he feel are affecting classroom learning? What things are you doing that he thinks could be handled differently? Does he have another teacher who could mentor you in this area?
I'm a little unclear from your post whether you perceive there is a problem or not. It almost sounds as if you are pretty happy with the way things are going. Granted we all have things

we would like to do better, but do you think behaviors are affecting class learning?

What exactly do you mean by being "too nice?" Does that mean you don't follow through with promised consequences because you want the kids to like you? I know that being consistent is one of my biggest challenges--yet children thrive on consistency.

Having said all that, I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. Can your classroom management skills improve? Probably so or it wouldn't continue to be mentioned on your evaluations. Can you improve in this area? Absolutely! I've taught 22 years and am still learning all the time!

Go into this as a learner--don't beat yourself up and feel that this is your "special problem?"

P.S. If you leave your e-mail address and give me some specifics, I'd be glad to share some management techniques with you.