Questions On The Teacher 's Assumptions About Social Context, Teaching, And Learning Affect The Dynamics Of Classroom

Teachers should consider: • How do we honour diverse backgrounds, points of view, values, lifestyles, and abilities within our school and our classrooms? • What conveys to students that they are recognized and honoured as members of the classroom and school community? • What types of classroom physical arrangements work best for creating different types of learning spaces for students and still provide personal

Research by Powers et al (2004) suggests effective teachers reflect on their practice and are mindful of the interaction between the learner, instructional setting, materials, and teaching methods, making adjustments as needed to facilitate learning. The importance of context to learning cannot be overstated; characteristics of the classroom and school can increase the risk for academic and behavioral patterns. Teachers need training in understanding the interaction

A teacher in the classroom setting is considered a professional in that environment because they have the training and skills necessary by which to create a setting which is conducive to learning. To aide in the establishment of a setting which is conducive to learning the teacher must create guidelines which help to provide structure for expected behavior as well as for the dissemination of information between teacher and student. Organization and careful planning are two elements which help to

While getting ready to observe my first class at Upper Moreland High School I was excited to see a new classroom climate through objective eyes that I may not have used before. I would be observing a teacher with fifteen years of teaching experience and is looked at as a prominent member of the music department. Although we have worked together for four years I have never been able to see him teach and was excited about this opportunity. When I approached this teacher he was hesitant, much like the teacher from Reflexive Teaching: Toward Critical Autoethnographic Practices of/in/on Pedagogy , and expressed that he had been teaching the “same way” without any new “fancy techniques” for many years(Warren,139) Before the initial observation I interviewed the teacher. While interviewing him I not only asked about his teaching experiences but about other life ventures and was given some very surprising answers, such as the fact that he was a business owner for ten years previous to teaching. I was curious to see if his business side, as well as, other aspects of his life would show through in his teaching. After three days of observations and shadowing, I have learned a great deal about how life experiences, personal demeanor, among a mountain of other things molds one 's teaching and classroom climate.

Today, teachers strive for the creation of positive and influential learning environments for all students. Moreover, they aim at increasing children’s chances of succeeding. They constantly re-evaluate their teaching strategies for educational improvement of students. Teachers create supportive and respectful school environment that makes students strive for more prosperous and eventually rewarding lives. According to Deborah Tannen, the teacher’s encouraging and

“Social-cognitive theories emphasize that teaching and learning are highly social activities and that interactions with teachers, peers, and instructional materials influence the cognitive and affective development of learners” (Kim, Baylor, pg. 574, 2006). Teacher should provide a rich variety to promote exploration and

It is my strong belief that each child is entitled to a safe, secure, stimulating and caring learning environment. I always believed that each child is a unique individual with much curiosity and many academic, social and emotional needs. Children need our support in order to mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. As a teacher, one should aim to help students in fulfilling their dreams to become successful and educated individuals. We must provide them with a safe learning environment for their learning to succeed.

Establishing rapport with students is extremely important. Students should feel like a teacher genuinely cares about their well-being. Trust is an important component of the classroom learning environment. A student should respect and trust his or her teacher and the teacher should be respectful of his or her students and their families. This will encourage a nurturing learning environment and decrease behavioral problems in the classroom. When the teacher is consistently supporting the rules, and allowing the students to feel safe in the classroom, trust begins to develop. Teachers have to work to develop trust and respect in the classroom due to the fact that children in today’s world are often mistrusting because of society’s messages of the world being dangerous (world-view) as well as their own direct experiences (self-view) with abuse, violence, and neglect.

The first step in classroom management is to create an environment where students feel cared for and valued. To do accomplish this, teachers need to build positive student-teacher relationships. Marazano (2003) reports in his book, Classroom Management That Works, which is cited in the Jones and Jones (2013) book, that “Positive teacher-student relationships were the foundation of effective classroom management” (p.56). I am committed to creating a safe learning environment that is organized, structured and conducive to student learning. While influencing a classroom of community learners, I strive to also build positive teacher-student relationship with all of my

Next, we will discuss the teacher subculture of a school environment. Teachers are an important “subculture since they make the most contact with students” (Ballentine & Hammack, 2012, p. 216). The culture that is set by the teacher impacts the learning process by either helping students thrive or be unsuccessful. Also, the subculture that includes teachers can be further broken down into grade levels, content areas, or length of service. For instance, an inexperienced teacher will not immediately be included in the subculture of seasoned teachers. It will take time for him/her to be accepted into that subculture. A new teacher who tries to be too friendly to students may receive sanctions from

plan. The first hurdle many new teachers have to overcome is the ability to maintain control of

This article may be very effective for the intended audience because it brings attention to the issues that are in the classroom. Teachers who are bias towards a select group of students is definitely a problem in classrooms and this article further gives the reader an example for a more understanding of this

In order to create a positive classroom culture, teacher need to promote positive relationships between students and with students by taking an interest and have respect for each other. It is extremely important for teacher to get to know the students, their families, and their culture. When a student knows their teacher cares about them, then a relationship of trust will exist between a student and teacher. According to Sayeski and Brown (2011), “teachers who had positive relationships with their student had 31 % fewer discipline problems and rule violations over the course of the year than teachers who did not” (p. 12). In order to know more about them, I will send home a poster board where the students can fill it with any information they would like me and their classmates to know. This constructivist approach gives them the opportunity to be creative and choose what they want to share. The essentialist approach of sending home a questionnaire for the family to fill out will help collect information important to understanding the student. This is the only category where I consider myself an essentialist and constructivist due to how information will be gathered about my students, but this will allow me to build the framework for a positive learning environment for everyone. Having students create a poster will allow their peers to get to know them as an individual. Another way to create a positive environment is having students work together to keep

When I think about my role as a teacher, one of the most important things I consider is the relationships I build with my students, parents, colleagues, and community members. In the classroom, I need to ensure that I create a safe, loving, and positive learning environment. In order to make all students feel welcome, I get to know their names, the correct pronunciation and spellings, learning their culture and background, and their

As beginning teachers, even though we cannot change whole school policy and practice, does not mean we cannot reflect our ideals and beliefs within our classroom and model our behaviour for others (Ashman & Elkins, 2008). As teachers we are particularly in a significant position where we can influence our students’ attitudes and have the opportunity to ultimately facilitate the change towards more inclusive communities and schools.