I am as much as a human as my students are.

Not a single student should feel any

different. Students are just like any other human in this world: whether it be a five year old, a
fifteen year old, or a fifty year old. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has bad days. No-one is
perfect. Forgetting to do an assignment should not be over dramatized compared to forgetting to
grade a paper, no matter the circumstance. Belittling students because of an age difference is
something I will not do. I as much as a human as my students are. Five year olds could have just
as much problems as a fifteen year old with boys/girls or a fifty year old with which medication
to take. No problem is too small to not need attention, to not be noticed, or to no need of
assistance and attention from the teacher for the student.

Students are all different in their own way, they face different things, and they grow at
different rates. As a teacher I will empathize with my students, I will teach with their point of
views in mind. It is the basis of caring relationships and will allow me to connect and understand
my students even more. It will be the glue that connects my students with me because it is how
individuals understand what others are experiencing as if it was ourselves. Although there is
empathy, there is also accountability. My students will not hinder because I choose to understand
them as humans. Life is not fair, but life moves on and so should my students as well as the
teacher. Student accountability is not only an important trait to develop in the students but also
teachers. Just like a student is accountable to turn in an assignment on time, I am accountable to
grade that assignment at a reasonable time. Being responsible for our own actions, growth, and
learning, in which it will help improve academic performance and achievements.

Teachers who have a nice relationship with students are the ones who are most successful
with students, but to build a nice relationship, there must be trust and some sort of connection.
Trust is a respectful contract between two people. A teacher should respect a student just as much
as a student respecting a teacher. Just because I am older, does not mean I am in control or over
powering of my students. There is just as much knowledge to learn from each student as the
knowledge a teacher is providing a student. To learn, students must feel comfortable to ask
questions and participate in the class, to trust in my knowledge of the subject, and to trust that I
will correctly evaluate their performances. Trust leads to a connection between student and
teacher. With this, feedback could be given in a calmly matter, whether it be a positive feedback
or a negative feedback. As a whole, my future students and I will do great thing in and for this
world, not just in the classroom but outside the classroom as well.
!

The classroom set up is an important aspect for a great and safe learning environment.

The above image displays a set up I will hopefully be able to achieve, but depending on the

actual layout of the classroom, things could be adjusted. One thing is for certain, my students

desk I would prefer them in this “u” shaped desk arrangement simply because as a teacher,

student often need help so with a rolling chair I could help my students as a whole and be able to

move from desk to desk. The teacher’s desk displayed in the back part of the room because I do

not plan in being in my desk often but more often in the from, with my students at their desks or

in groups. There are multiple areas where individual time, group time activities, and stations/
centers could take place in. There is a computer section, carpet time, a library area, and a small

group instruction table as well.

There is a difference between bosses and leaders. As a teacher I choose to be a leader,

someone who teaches why and how to do something, not just someone who demands things to

be done. Students are more likely to follow the rules if they have a chance in creating them

themselves. As a teacher of course there are some rules that must be specifically established so

that there is just as much structure posible in the classroom. The best way to start the classroom

with the most structure possible but not a classroom where students are scared is to come up with

some rules that are not too harsh, ones that can be made up by students, and ones that are non-

negotiable. For example, the rule “Raise your hand to speak” is a negotiable rules simply

because raising your hand to speak is not necessarily used while doing a think pair share with

one other students. Rules should be applicable during the entire class time.

For my class rules and norms, I plan on working with my students to create a clear set of

rules and norms, but I will start of with two of my own rules and then go from there. The first

rule is “Be Prepared”. I believe this rule is very appropriate throughout the whole school in

general. Students should be prepared to school with their homework, or be prepared for lunch if

they decide to bring lunch from home, or simply be prepared to move on the next activity when

it is time to move on to the next activity. There is a saying that goes along the lines of: when you

are not prepare, you are preparing to fail. I wish nothing but success for my students, so being

prepared is a key rule.

A second rule I plan in bringing into my classroom is “Use School Appropriate

Language”. Again this could be used throughout the whole school, not just my class. It should be
made clear the profanity is not nice nor should it be used towards people, such as the teacher or

classmates, inside the classroom or out. This also is not just limited to profanity but any form of

language that is not consistent with what needs to be done not the type of language that could be

disrespectful to any other person in the school and classroom.

To star the day in a positive way, a good morning hug or high five will be given to

the students as they walk into class, I would like my students to forget anything wrong or

negativity they may be feeling or going through away. Before gathering all supplies needed for

the day from their backpack and putting the backpacks away, I would like students to write down

that wrong/negative feeling away in the trash. It is a brand new day and there is no need to worry

about what happened the day before. After that is done, then come the morning announcements,

warm ups and preparation. As the day progresses to the ending, I would like to take five to ten

minutes so students could have a chance to reflect on the day: what was learned, what could be

change, and/or what was perfect.

Of course nothing runs as smooth as we would like, so if any mishaps happens, I would

like my students to take the proper actions. I plan in having a billboard up on display where

rules/norms, expectations, and consequences would be visible to all. To prevent any mishaps, I

would like to use two main mechanisms that could help prevent any, if any. First would be the

red, yellow, green cup table placer. Each table will have three plastic cups: a red, a yellow, and a

green. The red cup means I/we cannot move forward without direct and immediate assistance

from the teacher. The yellow cup means work/task is progressing and I/we are not confident but

are willing to work through the process. And finally, the green cup means work/task is going

smoothly and I/we are feeling confident.

 The second mechanism will be the yes/no jar. This mechanism is strictly on the hands of

the students. If work is completed and on time or something positive happens, and ‘yes’ token

gets placed in the jar. If something is not done properly or efficiently, a ‘no’ token gets placed in

the jar. Then the jar basically determines any yes or no question not applicable to the teacher. For

example, if students wish to have extra time at recess, the yes/no jar decides that. This will allow

students to think about their actions in advance, and it is up to them as to how many yes’s or no’s

to be placed in the jar.

It is clear that not all students learn the same, but it is also clear that they all do learn.

Some students may need to receive more challenging work, while others may need work that is

not as challenging. A fast and effective way I plan to differentiate the work of my students when

is needed is by modifying the lessons objectives a bit. If a student has a learning disability, it

would be best to consult with a professional to see what would be best for that particular child

and then continue with my lesson with few adjustments so that no one is singled out in any way

shape or form.

First of all, the main role a student should portray in a classroom is the role of an active

listener. Without actively listening, information may be missed whether in a lesson or in an

important situation. Active listening should be done by all students, not just one or two. Other

student roles would be based on how the classroom will be ran. Table manager, supply manager,

and timekeeper are just a few roles students could take upon in their own table as a little

community. Regardless the role, students should feel belonging in the classroom. All students

need a role in the classroom, even if it is the most simplest, they will feel like they belong and

that they bring something meaningful to the classroom community.