Tips for Teachers: Classroom Management Ideas

Shortly after graduating from college (and by "shortly" I mean the very next day), I began work as a teacher at the very high school from which I had graduated only years earlier. I believe the term "trial by fire" aptly described my situation. As the school's first ever computer teacher, I was charged with creating the curriculum from scratch, learning all the software used by faculty and staff, and teaching all new faculty and staff how to use said software.

There was also the little matter of figuring out how to be a teacher. The first year was quite the learning experience. However, in time I picked up numerous tips and tricks to make my life easier. I even came up with a few classroom management ideas of my own.

Start Out Tough, Lighten Up Later (if you want)

Similar to the advice given to people about to go to prison, there is a widely-circulated piece of advice given to new teachers: make an example of a misbehaving student on your first day. Starting off the school year nice and laid back (the tendency of most good-natured people) is counterproductive if you are a teacher because certain students will try to take advantage of your kindness. By starting out tough, you're showing any potential "problem" student that you mean business. Later, as the year goes on, you can lighten up.

This advice is wise, but also dangerous. If you overreact to something a student does on the first day, your students are more likely to believe you are unfair and mean than tough. As a teacher, you must be consistent (a point to be addressed later in the article).

The key is figuring out your expectations for the class. If a student does something on day two that would not result in a punishment, it should not result in a punishment on day one either. However, if a student does something on the first day or week of school that would warrant discipline any other time of the year, it should warrant discipline then, too. Don't let it slide simply because it's the beginning of the school year. Doing so will make managing your classroom much more difficult.

You're Their Teacher, Not Their Friend