The Teacher’s Role in the Classroom Management
Teachers are facilitators of student learning and creators of the productive classroom environment. A good teacher has effective discipline skills and can promote positive behaviors and change in the classroom. A great teacher has the classroom management skills and can ensure good student behavior, effective work and study habits and over the sense of respect in the classroom. Teachers set the class of their classroom, build a warm environment, mentor and nurture students, become role models, and listen and look for signs of trouble.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ancy T.
Self-consciousness
As the airline safety videos say: Put on your mask first. To learn effectively, your students need a healthy you, said many experienced teachers. So get enough sleep, eat healthy food and take steps to attend to your own well-being. Countless studies corroborate that idea that the self-care can reduce stress, which can deplete your energy and impair your judgment. While self-care is more of a habit or practice for your own well-being than an actual classroom management strategy, the benefits include improved executive function, greater empathy, and increased resilience—all qualities that will empower you to make better decisions when confronted with challenging classroom situations. Building healthy student-teacher relationships is essential to thriving classroom culture, and even sets the stage for academic success.
Also Read: 8 Reasons to Teach English in Thailand | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Balance and flexibility
Many educators noted that a teacher’s ability to balance warmth and strong boundaries is key to successful relationships—and classroom management. Be consistent but flexible. Love them unconditionally, but hold them accountable. Give them a voice but be the leader. Students don’t thrive amid chaos. They need some basic structure and consistency to feel safe and to focus. You can’t be their friend. You can be kind, loving, and supportive, but you still have to be their teacher.
Also Read: 6 Peculiarities of the English Language That Are Mind-Boggling for English Learners
Discipline
Establish the code of conduct early in the year, and be sure that everyone—including the teacher—makes an effort to stay true to it. Your attitude as the teacher really determines what the tone and environment of your classroom are like. If you want a calm and productive classroom, project that to your kids. Many others cautioned that while enforcing rules consistently is critical, it’s important to pick your battles too—especially if those confrontations are going to be public: Instead, say, ‘You and I will talk about this later. In a long back-and-forth about classroom management practices, it might have been the most memorable quote: “Find ways to make your hardest kid your favorite kid’’. That’s not easy, of course.
Also Read: Games in the Classroom: What are EFL games?
Troubleshooting
A strength-based lens means never forgetting to look beneath the surface of behavior, even when it’s inconvenient. If they are misbehaving it is kind of like when a baby cries; there is something wrong in their world. If they are misbehaving for attention then find out why they need attention and how you can give them what they need. And don’t forget to continue to work to deepen the connection, being mindful of the context and using language thoughtfully.
Also Read: 4 Easy Ways to Build Confidence and Persistence in Students
Cultural sensitivity
Finally, cultural differences can also play an unconscious role in our expectations of whether a student will succeed, so it’s important to reflect on any stereotypes that come up for you. The cultural difference does not an equal cultural deficiency. Never forget that every student is someone’s child. Parents/guardians/caregivers want to hear that you see the good in their child. A positive connection with the home can often help in the classroom. It’s important that parents are involved and know what’s going on so they can support and reinforce at home. Role of a teacher is dictated by the type of activity concerned and emphasize upon ‘student-centered’ lessons, as opposed to teacher-centered.
Also Read: What You Need To Know When Teaching Beginner Students
Different roles include the following:
- Learning mediator
- Interpreter and designer of learning programs and materials
- Leader, administrator, and manager
- Scholar, researcher, and a lifelong learner
- Community, citizenship and pastoral role
- Assessor
- Learning area/subject discipline/phase specialist
Find your role as an English teacher abroad today!
In short, teachers are responsible for maintaining a positive learning environment in the classroom. Managing a classroom is not an easy task. A classroom that is out of control yields lower achievement for students and high burnout rates for teachers. Teachers must implement structure, develop positive student interaction and take immediate action when problems arise. Maintaining control from the beginning provides a foundation for effective classroom management.
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