5. "...the teacher creates a positive classroom climate that is well organized and conducive to student learning and manages student behavior effectively..."
(Nolan & Hoover, p. 91, 2010)
(Nolan & Hoover, p. 91, 2010)
Staying Organized
Not everyone sees the benefits to being organized. In fact, I'll admit that it isn't something that came naturally to me. However, due to my own mother's patience, having been married to my wife, and my work with a variety of other teachers (see my Professional Portfolio Level II, Standard 8, etc.) has helped me to see the value in organization, and it is something that I have worked to cultivate throughout my educational career, and in my personal life as well. I've found that having my curricula in order, as well as my classroom, leaves me and my students feeling much more at ease while learning takes place.
Not everyone sees the benefits to being organized. In fact, I'll admit that it isn't something that came naturally to me. However, due to my own mother's patience, having been married to my wife, and my work with a variety of other teachers (see my Professional Portfolio Level II, Standard 8, etc.) has helped me to see the value in organization, and it is something that I have worked to cultivate throughout my educational career, and in my personal life as well. I've found that having my curricula in order, as well as my classroom, leaves me and my students feeling much more at ease while learning takes place.
Using Online Resources
In the past, I had made use of a website to keep my class material online, to be accessed by my students, and for parents to see as well (see: mrwrightmerit.weebly.com). However, there were limitations to that system, and this past year, as also mentioned in Lifelong Learning, I've made a concerted effort to take my classes to the next level. Before the "Corona Closure" in Spring 2020, I had 2 of my classes fully operational and blended via Canvas, and I was easing myself into getting the other two front-loaded and prepped online. Then Corona hit, schools closed, and I realized that I needed to get all 4 up and running online. Thankfully, the efforts I had made on my other courses made the transition much smoother, and we've been able to keep classes running smoothly via Zoom and Canvas (here's a few of my recorded classes from Spring 2020, for example: Mormons & Immigration to Utah; Utah Territory / Ch. 7 Quiz Review; J. Quincy Adams' Presidency, etc.). Here's a few screenshots as well, to see what I've created for the students' benefit:
In the past, I had made use of a website to keep my class material online, to be accessed by my students, and for parents to see as well (see: mrwrightmerit.weebly.com). However, there were limitations to that system, and this past year, as also mentioned in Lifelong Learning, I've made a concerted effort to take my classes to the next level. Before the "Corona Closure" in Spring 2020, I had 2 of my classes fully operational and blended via Canvas, and I was easing myself into getting the other two front-loaded and prepped online. Then Corona hit, schools closed, and I realized that I needed to get all 4 up and running online. Thankfully, the efforts I had made on my other courses made the transition much smoother, and we've been able to keep classes running smoothly via Zoom and Canvas (here's a few of my recorded classes from Spring 2020, for example: Mormons & Immigration to Utah; Utah Territory / Ch. 7 Quiz Review; J. Quincy Adams' Presidency, etc.). Here's a few screenshots as well, to see what I've created for the students' benefit:
Relationships
As I've mentioned before, I believe that building positive rapport with students is crucial to connecting with them, and helping them to see their own potential, as well as reaching and striving to be their best possible selves. As you can see from my recorded classes, I am upbeat, positive, and strive to have fun in our classes. We also have some foundational class rules and procedures, and these help to keep everyone on task, and that is needed, because if left to their own devices, many students would get easily distracted and / or distract others and not stay on task.
With gentle prodding, support and empathy, I am able to create a safe, low-affective environment where all of my students know that they can, in the words of the unflappable Ms. Frizzle, "Take chances, make mistakes, & get messy!" Now, I may not have a magical school bus, but I do strive to provide unique and fun fieldwork (which can sometimes be virtual, like my Ancient Peoples Adventure Game, etc.), classwork and homework. Ultimately, I believe that I am doing right by my students, and while I am always searching for ways to improve, I also know that I am making an honest effort and a difference in my students' lives, and that truly matters.
As I've mentioned before, I believe that building positive rapport with students is crucial to connecting with them, and helping them to see their own potential, as well as reaching and striving to be their best possible selves. As you can see from my recorded classes, I am upbeat, positive, and strive to have fun in our classes. We also have some foundational class rules and procedures, and these help to keep everyone on task, and that is needed, because if left to their own devices, many students would get easily distracted and / or distract others and not stay on task.
With gentle prodding, support and empathy, I am able to create a safe, low-affective environment where all of my students know that they can, in the words of the unflappable Ms. Frizzle, "Take chances, make mistakes, & get messy!" Now, I may not have a magical school bus, but I do strive to provide unique and fun fieldwork (which can sometimes be virtual, like my Ancient Peoples Adventure Game, etc.), classwork and homework. Ultimately, I believe that I am doing right by my students, and while I am always searching for ways to improve, I also know that I am making an honest effort and a difference in my students' lives, and that truly matters.
Sources
Burnett, S. (2016). Happy students & teacher [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.frogstreet.com/discussion/happy-teachers-make-happy-students/
Nolan, J., & Hoover, L. (2010). Teacher supervision and evaluation - Theory into practice (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Burnett, S. (2016). Happy students & teacher [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.frogstreet.com/discussion/happy-teachers-make-happy-students/
Nolan, J., & Hoover, L. (2010). Teacher supervision and evaluation - Theory into practice (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.