What Kind of Classroom Management Style are You?
Ever wonder what style of teacher you are? Or maybe you think more about what kind of teacher you want to be but sometimes it feels unrealistic or unattainable. It is so important that we are self aware of these things so we can best understand the things we do really well and things we need to work to improve with time.
Determining your classroom management style involves reflecting on your approach to managing student behaviors and creating a positive learning environment.
Understanding how you naturally take control of your classroom will help you understand your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher.
Finding Your Management Style
In reality there are very many types of classroom management styles. To list a few there is authoritative, permissive, humanistic, assertive, responsive, ecological, and the list goes on.
Really what I’ve seen is you may relate to many of these styles and be a mix of a few, but I do think we all could identify stronger with one specifically than another.
Your classroom management really boils down to how you handle behavior and manage it well. What boundaries do you have in place that help you feel secure as the head of the classroom? What is most important to you in your classroom?
Why Classroom Management is Crucial
The entire classroom vibe is off when there’s a sense that control has been lost. All of these behaviors and moments stack on top of each other. It affects all areas of the classroom, your teaching, and your students' ability to fully connect.
We shouldn't see our classroom’s behavior as a constant struggle. I want behavior to become an opportunity. It’s an invitation to discover what a child really needs. It’s a roadmap of where we need to go with a child and what types of skills we need to support them in developing.
When we take the time to address our students' emotional needs, we can see such a major shift in ourselves, our teaching, and our classroom.
Finding a Balance
At the end of the day, the most effective classroom management involves finding a balance that aligns with your teaching philosophy and the unique characteristics of your students.
Every class is different. One year you may have to be more authoritative because you have a rowdy classroom that needs strict discipline to create order. Then the next class you may be more permissive because you have a very well-behaved and calm class that doesn't require a lot of discipline.
The key is balance and finding out what is best for you and your mental health while also catering to your group of students and how they need you to show up for them.
What’s Most Important To You?
Be real with yourself. What makes you excited in your classroom day-to-day at school? What causes anxiety and makes you frustrated? What brings hope and what is discouraging?
Answering and journaling these questions and ones like it will help you understand what matters most to you concerning your classroom, leading you to find a classroom management style that aligns with your values.
I want you to feel equipped and empowered in your classroom. I don’t want you to feel like you’re constantly putting out fires or just trying to “get through the day.” I want you to get curious about behavior and what it may be trying to tell us.
What Management Style are You?
There you have it! The 3 things to consider when discovering your management style.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and effective classroom management often involves a combination of strategies tailored to your teaching style and the unique dynamics of your classroom.
Need help with behavior management? Get your own Behavior Support Pack!
Facilitating helpful conversations about behavior, consequences, and expectations is one of the best ways to help your students make better choices and follow classroom routines.
But knowing how to have that conversation can be tricky!
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If you’re an elementary teacher looking to build a toolbox of classroom and behavior management strategies that work, join the Heart-Centered Classroom Instructional Toolkit waitlist today!
