Management Techniques and Curriculum for the At-Risk and Behaviorally Disordered
This is a course that I have been yearning to take since my undergraduate work. Classroom and behavior management has been a huge fear of mine since the day I decided to become a teacher. What if they don’t listen to me? This is what I have been thinking since day one of student teaching and still think about when I realize that very soon I am going to be by myself without the support of a “real” teacher in the classroom with me.
I do have to say, that student teaching in my undergraduate placement taught me a lot about my own views on classroom and behavior management. I put a lot of emphasis on positive reinforcement, but was still a little timid about putting my foot down. I really wanted the students to like me and I was afraid that being too firm would turn them off and they would start to resent me. Yet, during this semester of student teaching I knew right away that I had to set the tone a bit firmer and remain consistent throughout the semester. I tested my limits a little bit more and taking this course at the same time gave me a ton of insight into what type of teacher I am and what types of behavior management I gravitate towards.
The first thing I realized through this course is that there are many different types of classroom and behavior management. Each philosopher has their own ideas about child development and each type of classroom management leans more towards one than the other. Because of all the information of classroom management, I had to remind myself to stay true to my own feelings. Instead of rejecting my natural classroom management that I found in the field, I needed to use this information to modify my classroom management to make sure it was the most successful it could be. I realized through learning that my classroom management is not “wrong” and there really is no wrong way to manage a classroom. Teachers have their own personal views and value different aspects of teaching. One way of management might work extremely well for one teacher, but if I do not value the same aspects of teaching as her, trying to use her management techniques myself would be a disaster in my classroom. This course encouraged me that the way I manage my students is a good way for me. If I continue to remain consistent and modify my techniques to the best of my ability, I don’t need to be scared for the future. I think a combination of the techniques I learned through this course and the experience I have had out in the field have given me the confidence I needed to be able to believe that I can manage a classroom on my own. In fact, I had enough confidence to fill in for my teacher when she was absent for the entire day. It went so well, that I actually had to stop and give myself a pat on the back. This moment showed me how much I really did learn about management this semester.
One of the most useful assignments we did this semester was the functional behavioral assessment. I initially thought that trying to actually change the behavior I was observing was going to be impossible. I figured if my cooperating teacher hadn’t already changed the behavior that it couldn’t be done. Nonetheless I followed the steps of the assignment as I was instructed and I was beyond excited to find that my behavior plan had actually increased the target behavior I was focusing on. I realized, individualizing attention and behavior plans for specific behaviors actually work and should be used constantly. Not all students respond to the same method and although it might be a lot of work, it will make teaching and managing your classroom so much easier if you develop a plan for each student as needed. The behavior plans when used effectively can actually make the changed behavior habitual allowing the teacher to back off with the behavior plan as the student makes the shift. This assignment showed me not only how much specific behavior plans can work, but also how effective I can be in the classroom. I can make an impact on student behavior and I will be fine working on my own in the future.
What I needed most from this class was the confidence that I can manage a classroom on my own and what I sought from this class, I received. I feel that this semester has been successful in helping me become a better teaching and classroom management, although still a concern for the future does not scare me anymore. I feel like I have the tools I need to succeed and I have the encouragement that my management skills will work if I stay consistent and stick to my values.
I do have to say, that student teaching in my undergraduate placement taught me a lot about my own views on classroom and behavior management. I put a lot of emphasis on positive reinforcement, but was still a little timid about putting my foot down. I really wanted the students to like me and I was afraid that being too firm would turn them off and they would start to resent me. Yet, during this semester of student teaching I knew right away that I had to set the tone a bit firmer and remain consistent throughout the semester. I tested my limits a little bit more and taking this course at the same time gave me a ton of insight into what type of teacher I am and what types of behavior management I gravitate towards.
The first thing I realized through this course is that there are many different types of classroom and behavior management. Each philosopher has their own ideas about child development and each type of classroom management leans more towards one than the other. Because of all the information of classroom management, I had to remind myself to stay true to my own feelings. Instead of rejecting my natural classroom management that I found in the field, I needed to use this information to modify my classroom management to make sure it was the most successful it could be. I realized through learning that my classroom management is not “wrong” and there really is no wrong way to manage a classroom. Teachers have their own personal views and value different aspects of teaching. One way of management might work extremely well for one teacher, but if I do not value the same aspects of teaching as her, trying to use her management techniques myself would be a disaster in my classroom. This course encouraged me that the way I manage my students is a good way for me. If I continue to remain consistent and modify my techniques to the best of my ability, I don’t need to be scared for the future. I think a combination of the techniques I learned through this course and the experience I have had out in the field have given me the confidence I needed to be able to believe that I can manage a classroom on my own. In fact, I had enough confidence to fill in for my teacher when she was absent for the entire day. It went so well, that I actually had to stop and give myself a pat on the back. This moment showed me how much I really did learn about management this semester.
One of the most useful assignments we did this semester was the functional behavioral assessment. I initially thought that trying to actually change the behavior I was observing was going to be impossible. I figured if my cooperating teacher hadn’t already changed the behavior that it couldn’t be done. Nonetheless I followed the steps of the assignment as I was instructed and I was beyond excited to find that my behavior plan had actually increased the target behavior I was focusing on. I realized, individualizing attention and behavior plans for specific behaviors actually work and should be used constantly. Not all students respond to the same method and although it might be a lot of work, it will make teaching and managing your classroom so much easier if you develop a plan for each student as needed. The behavior plans when used effectively can actually make the changed behavior habitual allowing the teacher to back off with the behavior plan as the student makes the shift. This assignment showed me not only how much specific behavior plans can work, but also how effective I can be in the classroom. I can make an impact on student behavior and I will be fine working on my own in the future.
What I needed most from this class was the confidence that I can manage a classroom on my own and what I sought from this class, I received. I feel that this semester has been successful in helping me become a better teaching and classroom management, although still a concern for the future does not scare me anymore. I feel like I have the tools I need to succeed and I have the encouragement that my management skills will work if I stay consistent and stick to my values.