Classroom Management Plan
Objective
When students enter my classroom, they will know that their growth is the most important
thing to me each day. It is my responsibility to facilitate student’s behavioral, social and academic
success. Setting clear expectations and procedures in the classroom while using positive
reinforcement and discipline will instill student independence and personal growth. My classroom
management plan is reflective of research-based strategies of Jane Nelsen that will create an
effective learning environment, and teaching student’s discipline, responsibility, cooperation and
problem-solving skills. These skills are crucial to students to help them grow to be well-rounded
global citizens.
Relationships and Community
Building strong rapport with each of the students in my classroom is the basis for my classroom
management strategy. My teaching philosophy states that when students are able to embrace their
individual differences and excel at their own pace, they will be successful. Students also need to
know that I care about them on a personal level. In order for them to open up and be willing to learn
with me they need to know I am just as invested in getting to know them as I am in creating the
content that they are learning. The more time that I invest in getting to know each student also
models how they can invest in each other and grow as an individual. When students know that you
care about them, and they care about you, the learning opportunities in the classroom are unlimited.
Creating this community of learners will allow students to collaborate, encourage one another and
be eager for new knowledge. I will prepare my students to be independent lifelong learners.
The best part about being a teacher is building relationships with students. There is nothing
more fulfilling than students approaching me and or their peers with something they did over the
weekend or with a different perspective on new content to be explored. When students feel like they
are able to express different ideas, collaborate to think critically about a problem they are facing,
and preserver then I know that I have created an atmosphere where students can learn and grow. It
is the collaboration skills, critical thinking skills, and perseverance that they will take with them and
use for the rest of their lives. The learning environment that I build with the positive rapport with my
students is the greatest classroom management asset, and the foundation for creating a positive,
safe, and fun place for students to grow emotionally and academically.
Expectations
In order for students to grow to their fullest potential it is critical that I set high classroom
expectations and procedures. Responsibility, individuality, respect, and persistence are a few of the
areas I will focus on. Students need to learn what it means to take responsibility for their work and
their actions, and how to respectfully respond when they don't meet expectations. Each student is a
unique individual who has a different set of skills, beliefs, and interests that will be used to support
growth in the classroom. Students come from diverse backgrounds and economic environments, but
come into my classroom to learn, grow, and teach others what they know. Diversity is the most
powerful educational tool in the classroom. Explicitly setting expectations about how to respond to
differences in the classroom will create the open environment needed for student growth. Students
today have information at their fingertips, but when they cannot find information that they need, it
is important to instill perseverance and support students with problem-solving strategies that they
will need to be successful global citizens.
Strategies
My classroom management strategy is based on the positive discipline research done by Jane
Nelsen, a psychologist and educator. Jane Nelsen's research focuses on teaching student’s self-
discipline, responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. All of these skills are necessary
for developing well rounded, independent, global citizens. When using positive discipline, there are
five criteria that teachers should focus on. The first is that you must be both kind and firm at the
same time. Being kind to students sets the expectation of what being respectful looks like and being
firm shows that you still care but need to respond the needs of the situation. Next students must feel
a sense of belonging and significance in the classroom. This is the primary goal of all people and is
especially true in young children. When students lack this, they will try to get attention in other
ways, seek revenge, try to take control of the classroom, or just give up. The key to positive
discipline is that it is non-punitive and will work long-term. Punishment can stop the behavior. If the
goal is to make a behavior stop right now punishment will work, but as an educator preparing
students for the future, it is important that I engage students in thinking about their behavior, and
deciding what to do after that behavior that will help them long-term. Positive discipline helps
students get valuable social and life skills for good character. When having students think about
their own behavior, I am teaching them problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills,
communication skills, listening skills, and self-soothing skills that will help them all throughout their
life. With all of these things in place, children will develop a sense that they are capable. I will
encourage students to think about their own strengths and knowledge to help them develop a sense
of their own capability and use their strengths and knowledge to help their peers grow. It is crucial
that students learn to think about their actions and become productive members of our ever
changing global society.
