Symposium Paper

Amanda Stebbins

St. Thomas University

January 11th, 2018

 If I had to choose one significant experience out of my entire practicum, it would be feeling
like I had control of the classroom. Classroom management is something I dealt with everyday,
so it would definitely be the most significant thing that impacted my professional development.
In the beginning, I soon noticed the difference in behavior when my mentor teachers were in the
room compared to when it was just me in the classroom. The students were likely excited to have
somebody different and knew they could get away with certain things because I was so new to
them. I had students tell me they were not feeling well and not knowing any better, I let them call
home. I had students tell me that they were allowed to do certain things, when they were not. I
told my students from the beginning that I was also a student, just like them. I explained to them
that I was also still learning and that I was here learning how to teach. I found that they all
responded very well to this and they learned to respect me.

I am very lucky to have had my first placement at my school. My students were wonderful
and most days I went home being very happy with my day. With advice from my mentor
teachers and my university supervisor, I learned some tricks on how to control my classroom.
For example, transitions can be a complete nightmare if I do not have control of the classroom. I
learned quickly, with advice from my supervisor, that I should call students by table, rather than
have all 28 students transition into the next exercise. For example, I would put the student’s
writers workshop books all on the floor, so they could just walk up and pick up theirs (they are
all numbered). I would have the next activity in a pile on the guided reading table, so students
who were finished their task, could come up and grab a sheet. I also found writing our agenda
on the board, very helpful. I would write what we were going to do in the subject, so I wouldn’t
have 28 students coming up to me, asking what they had to do next.

Classroom management is very significant to my professional development because it is

something that I am going to have to deal with in any classroom I go into. I chose to take a
second classroom management course because this is an area where I want to be really strong in.
I am aware that other classrooms that I teach in will not be the same as my classroom at Island
View School. I will have to deal harder situations that make me feel like I have no control over
my classroom. Being able to feel even slightly in control of my class, was a really big moment
for my professional growth. I was able to ease into the classroom so during my second
placement, I hope I am able to transfer these skills with my next group of students. Classroom
management is the backbone of a healthy and inviting environment. I believe students and
teachers should work collaboratively to create a common ground in the classroom.