As a teacher, I must create a caring and safe environment
for all students.
Diverse
Cultural Backgrounds
Students with different backgrounds have
different needs. Some cultures are quiet, while others are vocal. Many cultures
find tradition to be of great importance, whereas others place far less value
on it.
I have to address every student’s needs while maintaining an impartial classroom. Santora (2004) says “Children need to see themselves, and people who represent the diversity of their families, their communities, and their world, in the environment in which they live, work, and play.” I cannot allow my classroom to appear to be heavily biased toward any culture or cultures. I also must make sure the other students in class show the same respect for the other students in class.
Positive
Relationships in the Classroom
As I learned, while researching positive
relationships in the classroom, a teacher must share who they are in an honest
manner. I will share stories of myself and my past with students so they can
understand where I come from. My students will be encouraged to share themselves
as well. Morning meetings, classroom etiquette talks, and rules discussions
would be great times for this sharing to occur. As students get to know each
other, they will bond and be more likely to create and maintain a friendly and
positive environment in the class.
Anti-bullying
In and Out of the Classroom
“Bullying Intervention” (n.d.). suggests
including “students who might be left out.” I strongly agree that this encouraging
mentality is an important part of the positive classroom. To this end, I have
my students write something nice about every other student in class. I then
have students draw their own likeness and write all the kind comments around
them. Students love to read the sweet things others in class have said about
them. They rarely walk away from those posters without a smile.
Positive
Engagement
Allred
(2008) suggests “teachers help students understand that people are likely to feel
good about themselves when they engage in positive actions.” This is why
I will be reading books and sharing videos that encourage students to engage in
positive behaviors. Each Kindness is a great book to help with this. It will
help students to understand that we must do kind things while we have the chance,
or the opportunity might be lost.
Making Mistakes
It's important that students feel comfortable enough to be themselves. This video calls to the viewers attention how important it is for students to feel comfortable making mistakes. I try to maintain a safe classroom environment. The students in my class have to feel safe to make mistakes, work at their own pace, and try without fear of embarrassment.
In Conclusion
If the environment is positive, students can feel free to learn and grow at their own pace. They will be less likely to bully and more likely to be invested in the class as a whole. It is my goal, as a teacher, to create this environment for my students every day.
Resources
Allred, C. G., (Sept. 2008). Seven
Strategies for Building Positive Classrooms
The
Positive Classroom V66 (issue
1) Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Seven-Strategies-for-Building-Positive-Classrooms.aspx
Bullying Intervention Strategies That Work. (n.d.). Education
World. (issue 103) Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues103.shtml
Santora, L., (2004) How Can You Create a Learning Environment That
Respects Diversity? NYSAEYC Report,
Winter 2004. Retrieved from http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/education-outreach/How-Can-You-Create-a-Learning-Environment-That-Respects-Diversity.pdf
Picture Resources
Eddie~Shttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bully_Free_Zone.jpg
Frerieke https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diversity_and_Unity.jpg
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