I find this article to be not only inspiring for teachers but it should be what every teacher strives for. Reading this article made me think back to when I first became a teacher. I was mean. I was tough. I never smiled. I wanted to show my students that I was a serious teacher and they weren't about to disrupt my classroom like they do in all of them other classes. Over the years I've loosen up a bit however, I still maintain a well run, tight shipped, my way or the highway approach. I guess this is mainly because I teach at a school where the majority of students live in at risk environments. Just because you may have your share of discipline problems, as a teacher you shouldn't be closed to idea of making your classroom an enjoyable, fun learning environment. I never really thought of it that way. I've been so concerned with maintaining proper classroom management and less concern with whether or not my students enjoyed my classes.
It truly is a tough balance. If you come in wanting to play "games" all of the time to create a "fun" atmosphere, then the students will walk all over you. It is critical that discipline is established within the classroom. Discipline comes from the root word "to love." It is out of love for our students' well-being and education that we have rules for them to follow. If we don't then students will not advance to where we need to go.
ReplyDeleteIt is crucial that we explain to students our reasonings for everything we do. If they see that every minute is designed to help them grow, then they will possibly start to work better and remain self-disciplined. Once that self-discipline happens, then the students will gain the self-confidence in learning and thus, the classroom will become more enjoyable for them.