An Effective Classroom Environment

Environment is everything. Unfortunately, I don't know what kind of a room I will have next year. I also hope I get staff that are skilled and open minded. I want to maintain open lines of communication with my staff. I like to have regular staff meetings as well as a few moments at the end of every day to debrief on the days events. They can provide me with valuable information about how the classroom was setup in the past and help reestablish routines that worked for returning students. I hope that being open to their input will create a safe atmosphere where they feel their talents are being acknowledged and my ideas given a fair chance to succeed as well. It's important that the staff and teachers respect each other and demonstrate that respect by following the same standards for behavior that are set for the students.

I'm also going to pay close attention to routines. A well established routine can eliminate any number of unwanted behaviors. I worked in classrooms on opposite ends of the routine spectrum. The kids in the classroom with planned routines had fewer unwanted behaviors and engaged in meaningful learning more often than those in the classroom without planned routines.