Ashley Smith

ELM-590
Classroom Management Philosophy

In the text Teaching with a Purpose, the definition for classroom management strategies reads, “

a variety of techniques and skills that maintain the learning environment and assists teachers in keeping

students organized, focused, and on tasks.” Teachers must develop these strategies early on, so that

students understand the expectations, and the procedures of the classroom. In settings where the

teacher lacks classroom management, the classroom can be chaotic. Therefore, in my classroom, I will

focus first on student engagement, and classroom expectations to establish the appropriate culture.

“Effective classroom management ensures that all students are engaged in learning...” (Teaching

with a Purpose). It is important to hold the attention of the students, because when they are attentive

they have more probabilities of learning. Strategies that I will use to increase this possibility of student

engagement is by understanding my students, giving a variety of learning opportunities, and providing

content that provokes interest. The content in which the students are learning should be presented in a

way to keep the student’s focus, so the teacher must adapt the content to the student’s interest and

learning styles.

Another major classroom management strategy is to develop classroom expectations.

Classroom expectations give students a set of values, rules, and procedures that the students must

abide by. It is important to involve the teacher and students in the goal of setting expectations for the

classroom. The reason students and teachers must both be active in the goal setting process is so that

students feel a sense of responsibility within their classroom. The sense of responsibility helps the

student know that they are important pieces within the classroom. Teachers must set the first day of

school, and a whole week should be devoted to establishing expectations.

When student engagement and classroom expectations are aligned, the classroom has a

positive culture. The culture needs to be balanced and welcoming. When I use the word balanced, I

mean that everyone should be on one accord with classroom expectation. When students know exactly
what is expected of them they can be confident in the decisions they make. Every person involved must

be consistent in holding everyone accountable. When the culture is positive the students feel respected

and comfortable in the classroom environment, students want to engage with the teacher, and their

peers. Hence, my classroom management philosophy is “When student engagement, and classroom

expectations are aligned, the classroom creates a culture that is conducive to a productive learning

environment.”
 References

Corso, M. J., Bundick, M. J., Quaglia, R. J., & Haywood, D. E. (2013). Where Student, Teacher, and

Content Meet: Student Engagement in the Secondary School Classroom. American Secondary

Education, 41(3), 50-61.

Tammy L. Stephens, Ph.D., Guest Author, Review360 Pearson. (2016, June 06). Encouraging

Positive Student Engagement and Motivation: Tips for Teachers | Pearson Blog. Retrieved February 11,

2018, from https://www.pearsoned.com/encouraging-positive-student-engagement-and-motivation-

tips-for-teachers/

Teaching with a Purpose. Academic Web Services | Curriculum Services. (n.d.). Retrieved

February 11, 2018, from http://lc.gcumedia.com/eed480na/teaching-with-a-purpose-learning-leading-

and-serving/v1.1/#/about