What’s classroom management? Here’s a hint: It doesn’t begin in the classroom.

Aug 6

Image shows the following words: What's classroom management? The words "Be Proactive" appear below this title. The public speaking classroom is empty, and the keys to effective classroom management are hanging from the "Be Proactive" words.

Classroom management means more than positioning the pencil sharpener in a convenient location. So, what’s classroom management? An effectively-managed classroom means the following:

Students feel safe;
Students are engaged (because they feel safe);
Students anticipate and follow routines;
Teachers issue fewer prompts for behavior corrections;
Teachers are proactive instead of reactive;
Teachers are viewed as fair;
TEACHERS ENJOY THEIR WORK.

Classroom management begins before students arrive, before syllabi are printed, and before the district’s “Welcome back!” meetings. The first step in effective classroom management takes place during the summer as teachers ponder the previous year and change strategies and policies for the coming school year. What worked? What didn’t? Then, new strategies and policies are added to the next year’s syllabi, and verbiage is revised to provide clarity.

Effective classroom management IS proactive, and is rooted in an educator’s desire to connect with students, to foster interpersonal relationships between students, and to provide a safe space for student learning.

Effective classroom management IS NOT reactive, which often results in punitive and demeaning student experiences.

Course syllabi are one of the teacher’s best tools for establishing clear student expectations, communicating fairness, and articulating a desire to support students as they learn. I design my public speaking course syllabus with these goals in mind. My public speaking syllabus is extensive, but students know that I’m invested in their success. They know I care.

I care about teachers, too. I’ve witnessed too many teachers who struggle to establish expectations and set healthy boundaries. As a result,

They become overwhelmed.
They often become resentful towards students who participate in the classroom chaos.
They shift their classroom management issues to burdened administrators who lack the time or initiative to help.

And then? They quit.

Edutopia.com lists “Five Principles of Outstanding Classroom Management,” and the third principle is “SET RULES, BOUNDARIES, AND EXPECTATIONS (AND DO IT EARLY).” My syllabus does this. It’s completely editable and it’s available here. Any part of the syllabus may be adopted, revised, or deleted. No judgement! What’s even better? It’s FREE! (Please adhere to my Terms of Use.)

The new school year is approaching. Don’t wait! Now is the time to commit to a proactive classroom management strategy by establishing a comprehensive syllabus. Proaction builds a positive classroom climate and interpersonal relationships; reaction needlessly consumes time and energy, and it results in a universally negative education experience. Don’t be the reactionary teacher; instead, be the teacher who proactively commits to a positive plan for managing a safe and effective learning space for students.