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Classroom Management: Three Crucial Areas of Mastery for a New Teacher

Emmanuel W. Cooper

University of the People

EDUC 5240

Dr. Chad Weirick, Professor

September 6, 2020
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Classroom Management: Three Crucial Areas of Mastery for a New Teacher

Introduction

Learning is a complex process that requires teachers to have organizational and

disciplinary skills. Classroom management is "the use of procedures and teaching techniques that

promote a safe and efficient learning environment" (Cini, 2017). It is a specific set of strategies

used by educators to arrange students, allocate materials, and organize the space for the learning

experience to be useful. Classroom management includes "creating the setting, decorating the

room, arranging the chairs, speaking to children and handling their responses, putting routines in

place (and then executing, modifying, and reinstituting them)" (Sieberer-Nagler, 2016, p. 163).

Sylvia Cini, the Director of Special Projects at Central Piedmont Community College, identifies

classroom design, rules, discipline, scheduling, organization, instructional technique, and

communication as the essential areas in effective classroom management (2017). Although

educators might have different approaches to teaching, these elements remain crucial to meet the

class' needs and optimize the learning experience for students. However, it is essential to

acknowledge that all the aspects of effective class management contribute to the creation of a

positive learning climate. Still, some areas are more crucial than others.

The Most Crucial Areas for a New Teacher

Three areas of classroom management are the most crucial to ensure the learning

environment is positive and significant. Cini argues that communication is an essential aspect of

class management (2017). She emphasizes that being responsive and flexible allows teachers "to

have clear and consistent lines of communication with your administration, colleagues, students,

and parents" (Cini, 2017). Class expectations remain crucial in the process of creating an

effective learning environment, which is why developing a particular set of rules is beneficial to
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teachers. Establishing rules is the second most important aspect of classroom management.

Students "need to know what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior," which is why rules

have to be consistent and determined (Sieberer-Nagler, 2016, p. 165). Lastly, the instructional

technique serves as another essential element of developing a positive climate between students

and optimizing the educational experience for them. Teachers need to have the ability to tailor

their instructional techniques to adapt to different age groups and student environments.

The Reasoning behind the Selection

Communication allows teachers to identify the needs of the students present in the class,

which is invaluable in finding the right approach to each student. Open discussions and the

teachers' ability to compromise help them cooperate with parents and colleagues. According to

Cini, without communication, educators can "lose the respect of peers, the attention of students,

and the cooperation of parents" (2017). Besides, communication is integral to creating a positive

climate where students feel respected and comfortable.

Rules serve as an essential framework for students to understand how to behave

appropriately in an educational setting. Cini argues that establishing and reinforcing a specific set

of rules can "foster respect, caring and community" in the classroom (2017). Rules are directly

connected to discipline and make it easier for teachers to handle misbehavior and disturbances.

The effectiveness of students' work in the classroom is much higher "in environments that are

well-defined in terms of dos and don'ts and when they exactly know the rights and wrongs"

(Sieberer-Nagler, 2016, p. 165). Rules do not only regulate the academic behavior of students but

affect the patterns of their social interaction as well by establishing a learning environment that

does not tolerate bullying and discrimination.

Tailoring an instructional technique based on the student's age and academic background
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is crucial for classroom management. Tailoring allows teachers to present a personalized

approach for each student, which would inevitably affect their performance and general level of

satisfaction with the educational experience. Children's learning styles differ from their age,

academic preparedness, talents, and personalities (Sieberer-Nagler, 2016). Therefore, it is vital to

stay diverse and propose unique instructional techniques that would make everyone feel included

and comfortable.

Challenges a New Teacher Faces

A new teacher usually faces various challenges in terms of classroom management and

organization. To have respectful and trusting relationships with the students, teachers often have

to cooperate with parents. A lack of interest and participation from the parents' side serves as a

big challenge for teachers. Organizational hierarchy and bureaucracy in the education system

make it harder for teachers to coordinate their activities with colleagues and school

administration. Moreover, new teachers often lack the practical experience to find the most

appropriate strategies for rule reinforcement, which leads to unethical reprimands, including

yelling and harassment. Lastly, the lack of time that teachers have to allocate to each student is a

significant challenge. Instructional techniques require educators to assess the students'

preferences and learning styles rather quickly to develop the most suitable instructional

framework.

Conclusion

Teachers have an essential task of creating the most effective managerial system for the

classroom. The crucial aspects of classroom management are communication, rules, and

instructional techniques. The lack of time, cooperation from parents and colleagues, as well as

practical experience, may present a challenge to new teachers. They decide to master the selected
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areas of classroom management.

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References

Cini, S. (2017). Seven key elements for effective classroom management. Synonym.

https://classroom.synonym.com/develop-personal-classroom-management-philosophy-

6391081.html

Sieberer-Nagler, K. (2016). Effective classroom management and positive teaching. English

Language Teaching, 9(1), 163-172, DOI:10.5539/elt. v9n1p163