Casta Garcia-Rosen

EDUG 781- Management Techniques and Curriculum for the At Risk and Disabled
Student
Dr. Nicholson
6/10/14
Classroom Management and Discipline Statement
Every teacher must figure out what kind of learning environment he or she wants
to create. I believe that classrooms need to be student centered and be tailored to students
interests. For new teachers it is important to reflect on what makes a successful learning
environment. Some of the elements to reflect on include teaching style, classroom
climate, classroom organization and physical environment.
The teaching style of the instructor influences how students behave in class. The
authoritative approach empowers both the teacher and the students to work together and
create a positive learning environment. Initially, when I first took the survey my results
were split between laissez-faire and authoritative. After learning more about management
techniques I realized that students need many systems in place to be successful. The
teacher needs to create a classroom management plan that is specific with clear rules and
consequences that students can follow. Having routines and guidelines help students stay
focused. Students will also feel secure and confident when they feel they are part of the
classroom community. These practices have the potential to build positive relationships
between teachers and students.
Building positive relationship with students is crucial to learning and helps
prevent acting out behaviors. Students who value their teacher will want to please the
teacher and will do their best to try and receive positive feedback. The stronger the
teacher-student relationship, the more receptive students will be and follow classroom

rules. In my experience as substitute teacher, I have seen firsthand students behave

exceptionally well despite the teacher not being present. In one instance, while covering a
5th grade class I was impressed with the students ability to work well together and follow
instructions. It was evident that the teacher and students had created a strong classroom
community. This type of bond can make an impact on the students academic and social
development. Its important that both the teacher and the students trust each other to
maintain a positive learning environment.
If the teacher does not enforce rules he or she loses the respect of the students and
learning in the classroom is negatively impacted. I have witnessed disruptive behaviors
and a lack of respect between the teacher and the students. While I was substituting and
observing other teachers, I was surprised to see that a student who was acting out with
one teacher was very well behaved with another teacher. This also happened with entire
classrooms where the majority of students lacked focus and with a different teacher they
were on task and respectful. It is imperative that the teacher creates a strong management
plan with clear expectations that promote desired behaviors.
The classroom climate has a big influence on students academic performance and
behavior. When implementing rules it is important to include students in the process by
asking for their input. Students need to feel important and included in the process. I have
seen students respond positively to teachers who treat them with respect and
consideration. This promotes a nurturing environment where students feel supported and
often become more conscious of how they treat each other. This works well in an ICT
classroom where there is a range of awareness among students and they can hold each
other accountable. In lower functioning special educations classrooms, it would be

difficult to expect autistic children to understand how to respect each other. However,
these children do understand when someone treats them nicely. They are sensitive to
noise and yelling at them is counterproductive.
Classroom organization and the physical environment are also important factors
that influence discipline and student learning. When setting up a classroom it is also
important not to overwhelm and over stimulate them with things that will distract them.
The classroom should be organized and flexible. Students need to understand that
everything has a place and purpose. Often times, I have seen teachers display students
work which has a positive effect on class participation, this helps students feel confident
as they can see their own progress. I believe in providing students with stability and
structure by having everything labeled and orderly. Structure helps create a classroom
environment conducive to learning. Organization requires that students have spaces or
stations where they can focus on specific content such as a reading corner or a math
corner. This helps students feel comfortable and makes learning more enjoyable. Students
will also benefit and learn to apply organization skills in their own lives.
Furthermore, sometimes changes need to be made or new rules implemented,
depending on the evolving classroom culture. It is important to teach students to be
flexible and make changes when necessary. For example, if seating assignments create
problems in the classroom, I would change their seats. Depending on the grade level and
students maturity level, changes made in the classroom could be a teacher-student
process.
The role of the teacher is crucial to the students academic performance and social
development. Teachers have to have good classroom management and know how to

discipline students. These two elements go hand in hand and create a classroom
environment that promotes learning. When I think of disciplining students I think it is
best to have a system of consequences in which students understand that misbehaving
will not be tolerated.
I thought Skinners behavior model was a positive way to obtain desired
behaviors in students. Behavior modification targets behaviors that are problematic and
helps students decrease undesirable behaviors for desirables ones. This model promotes
the use of positive reinforcement and helps students control their behavior. The behaviors
have to measurable and specific. I think this works well with elementary students,
especially younger students who need constant reinforcement. I have seen this approach
take place when teachers will discipline students by using the traffic light. Each color
represents how well they behaved, and students know that if their name goes on red they
will not be reinforced with a sticker or something else that they want. This model is
something I would incorporate in my own classroom.
Many students need help in learning how to control their behavior. They need to
know what the desired behaviors are, and that they will be reinforced in a positive way.
They also need to know that negative behaviors will receive a negative response creating
a disincentive for the behavior to continue. When students can see that they will be
rewarded for good behavior they will want to repeat the desired behavior. If they
misbehave then negative reinforcements such as a call home will discourage them from
continuing the undesirable behavior. This method works well at changing disruptive
behaviors, but consistency is crucial. Shaping a students behavior requires a lot of time

and consistency. Teachers have to reinforce the desired behavior and teach students what
the positive behavior is.
Another theorist that spoke to me was Kounin. His effective behavior
management is rooted in organization and planning. Although Kounin does not directly
address discipline problems, I do think he emphasizes central components that help
teachers prevent discipline issues. Kounins theory highlights how teachers need to be
aware of everything that goes on in the classroom, they have to have momentum and
direction when teaching, and use group alert to manage the classroom effectively.
Under this model teachers need to make sure they maintain the focus of their
students by creating lessons that are interesting. Since I believe teaching needs to be
student-centered, I agree with making sure the lessons are engaging and the flow of the
lesson moves forward. I have observed when teachers move really fast through a lesson
and students are frustrated, resulting in lower participation in the classroom. Teachers
need to see if students understand the lesson, and if they do not they need to modify it or
spend more time going over it.
Teachers needs to periodically stop and check for student understanding, because
if they dont the students will become discouraged and stop learning. To keep students
focused it is important to have good organized lessons with activities that engage
students. This prevents boredom that often leads to acting out behaviors. This can be
difficult if you have many styles of learning in the classroom, but good teachers that
adapt and incorporate different styles of learning will see that students participation
increases. I once did a mini lesson with a 5th grade special education class and I talked
about kids from different countries and the customs they practiced. I realized they had a

hard time relating and they were losing focus. When I noticed this I modified my
approach. I began talking about things that they could relate to which peaked their
interest.
Another one of Kounins key components is maintaining the group alert. I feel
that it is important to make it clear to students that at any point they can be called on.
However, getting all students to become active participants is a difficult task that requires
many trials and errors. I have learned that what works with one class might not work with
another and that students personalities and interests are constantly changing. This is why
it is important for teachers to get to know their students and understand how they learn
best. This takes time and requires a lot of planning and organization throughout the year,
but the rewards are lasting.
As a new special education teacher I hope be a positive role model for students.
My leadership style promotes structure, rules, and values student input, when appropriate.
The way the teacher handles classroom situations and confronts student challenges has a
major impact on how well students perform both academically and socially. It is
important to reflect on what makes a successful learning environment. Teacher must have
a strong management and discipline plan that promotes a positive learning environment.
Teachers need to recognize which methods works best in their classrooms and how to
stay consistent. Teachers are influential and have the power to guide their students to
strive and do their best. The role of the teacher is more than teaching content. It consists
of being a mentor, a role model they can depend on, and even a parental figure that offers
support when they might not have stability at home.