Building a Classroom Community
I believe that building a classroom community starts with authenticity. The students must feel and know that they are an important part of the classroom and that their voice matters. With increasingly large classroom sizes this can seem like a daunting task, so a portion of time must be set aside at the beginning of the year to allow time for community building. This starts with activities that allow students to get to know one another and a chance to talk about themselves (if comfortable doing so). The number of activities available for this are numerous and will vary based on grades and schools. Parents should also be provided a chance to discuss their child's needs, whether it be in person, on the phone, or through paperwork. The first day of school during my student teaching experience the student's families were invited in the classroom and could stay as long as they wished. That day my mentor teacher and I met with at least one family member from each student. I would hope to have the luxury of providing that for my families in the future.
To understand the child that you are teaching it's very helpful to understand the environment in which they come from and the culture they celebrate. At the same time as educators, we must take in this information without passing judgment. As a child, I came from a home with an unstable income as a result of a parent with mental health and substance abuse issues. Looking back I don't feel that my teachers treated me any differently than my peers, but I have seen this happen to students. I believe that a large majority of parents try their best to provide for their children in the ways that they can. This is going to look very different depending on income level, culture, and the educational level of the parents themselves. I have seen many times parents who come into the classroom seeking ways to help their children at home. This is something that I do wish to provide my future parents with. I plan to have a classroom website with videos that explain the various strategies that the students are learning and using. This would also provide a place to celebrate students' successes and everyday activities in the classroom. I also plan to create monthly newsletters that would be available online, and also sent home on paper. I remember my fifth-grade teacher sending these home and I still have one in which my name was mentioned.
From my own education experience what I also hung onto were the stories my teachers shared with me about their own lives. I do think this is also a critical part of building relationships with students. A relationship is a two-way street. During my student teaching, many times I have been able to share small antidotes about my own life and connect them to what the students were learning. In my own classroom, I would start by sending a 'Meet the Teacher' letter home with the students. I also think it's important for students to see their teachers outside the classroom at school functions. This provides a chance to further interact with families and shows that you are a part of the school community. This also allows time to build relationships with co-workers as well.
I am very thankful to have completed my student teaching experience at a school with a staff that collaborates very well. I was involved in professional development training that discussed how to create this type of environment, even within a two-partner teaching team. I was also very grateful to have been a part of a cohort for my two and a half years that I was at Oakland University. I have seventeen fellow new educators that I can turn to for guidance and support. No matter which school or district I work in I will strive to make my classroom a welcoming place for fellow teachers. A place to seek advice, resources, or just a cup of coffee.
To understand the child that you are teaching it's very helpful to understand the environment in which they come from and the culture they celebrate. At the same time as educators, we must take in this information without passing judgment. As a child, I came from a home with an unstable income as a result of a parent with mental health and substance abuse issues. Looking back I don't feel that my teachers treated me any differently than my peers, but I have seen this happen to students. I believe that a large majority of parents try their best to provide for their children in the ways that they can. This is going to look very different depending on income level, culture, and the educational level of the parents themselves. I have seen many times parents who come into the classroom seeking ways to help their children at home. This is something that I do wish to provide my future parents with. I plan to have a classroom website with videos that explain the various strategies that the students are learning and using. This would also provide a place to celebrate students' successes and everyday activities in the classroom. I also plan to create monthly newsletters that would be available online, and also sent home on paper. I remember my fifth-grade teacher sending these home and I still have one in which my name was mentioned.
From my own education experience what I also hung onto were the stories my teachers shared with me about their own lives. I do think this is also a critical part of building relationships with students. A relationship is a two-way street. During my student teaching, many times I have been able to share small antidotes about my own life and connect them to what the students were learning. In my own classroom, I would start by sending a 'Meet the Teacher' letter home with the students. I also think it's important for students to see their teachers outside the classroom at school functions. This provides a chance to further interact with families and shows that you are a part of the school community. This also allows time to build relationships with co-workers as well.
I am very thankful to have completed my student teaching experience at a school with a staff that collaborates very well. I was involved in professional development training that discussed how to create this type of environment, even within a two-partner teaching team. I was also very grateful to have been a part of a cohort for my two and a half years that I was at Oakland University. I have seventeen fellow new educators that I can turn to for guidance and support. No matter which school or district I work in I will strive to make my classroom a welcoming place for fellow teachers. A place to seek advice, resources, or just a cup of coffee.