My Ideal Classroom

My ideal classroom would be a simple one. I want it big and wide-open, with large windows along at least one wall. It is fine if the walls are white, but I would have blue and green hangings and decorations up, because blue and green are calm, soothing colors. I hope to teach first to third-grade students, so I will, of course, be adding their artwork and assignments to the decor to give the classroom a more personal feel.

I would have a corner for "rest and reading", which would double as a sick-corner if the students felt ill. The opposite corner of the room would be "my corner", for a computer, lesson plans, and several cupboards for storage. There would be a place to hang coats and backpacks in the back of the room, and the desks would be arranged in fours to promote group work and friendships; two boys to two girls a "table" in the beginning, in an attempt to nix the "girls/boys have cooties" mind-set. I will be willing to make adjustments if certain groups cannot or will not work together, though.

My ideal student-count would be 12-25 students--a small class. I would use both visual and auditory learning techniques to determine which students respond to what. I tend to be a hands-on person, so there would be a lot of lessons where we might go outside or I would bring physical objects into the classroom for a lesson (e.g. different types of leaves, or a bowl of live fish for a math or science lesson). I would keep things basic, but make them fun and interesting to keep the students' attention.

As for the parents of my students--they would expect me to respect their children as they do, but also would allow me to punish them if the need arose. They would want me to bring any of my concerns about their children to them, along with suggestions on how we might resolve those problems as a team.

My colleagues would be a support system, giving me advice when I needed it and asking the same in return. We would share teaching techniques that have worked and failed for us, and if I am new among them, they would make an effort to make me feel comfortable and confident in my new role.

As for the dreaded punishments, I would be one of those teachers that withholds recess and privileges to the students who refuse to listen to me. If they are constantly being loud or disruptive in class, it is an immediate removal of said privileges. If their language is unacceptable, it will be the removal, along with writing lines during the punishment period. If their behavior continues, it is a visit to the principal's office and a call to their parents/guardians. I am a fun person and I enjoy a laugh as much as anyone else. But there comes a place to draw a line, and I draw a cement one.

Finally, my goals for my classroom and students. I want my classroom to be a fun place where the kids can't wait to return to learning. I also want it to be a safe place, where they feel secure enough to allow themselves free reign of their personalities. I want to be able to be a friend to my students, but also an authority-figure they can look up to and not be afraid to approach with their problems and questions. In all, I want my students to be positively affected my me, in a way that lasts for the rest of their lives. Even if they can't remember my name, as long as they remember what they learned in my class and grow from it, that is enough.