I want my classroom to feel like a.... coffee shop, where unique people meet with friends or come individually to do interesting things. Coffee shops feel comfortable and relaxed. There are different types of seating areas where you can lean back and read a book, or sit up straight and write, depending on what your situation calls for. Engaging in an activity with friends or solo is your prerogative. People like to be there because no one is going to get kicked out for not buying something, or for not doing what everyone else is doing. There is no pressure.
"Teachers provide a social and intellectual environment in which students can learn."--James MacGregor Burns (presdential biographer/leadership scholar)
In my experience as a substitute teacher, I would have to say that ambience and physical aspects are tied for the most important part of the learning environment. There is one teacher, Mr. R, who is arguably the most unorganized person I have ever seen. He is a regular third grade classroom teacher in the Elyria Schools. I have subbed for him twice and I have vowed to never do it again! I am definitly not the most organized person, but compared to Mr. R, I am a certified member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). His bookshelves look like they've just been sick, there are papers scattered all over and around his desk, and the students! The poor sweet students are learning from his example.
Yes, they are very happy with their teacher.
Yes, they like him better than their teacher from last year.
Yes, their classroom is very laid back.
But at what expense?
As a sub, it is confusing and frustrating to be there. I can never find what I need. Walking from the one end of the class to the other is like a slalom event! I can only imagine what bad habits this encourages. Do their teachers the following school year have to retrain each of them?
I think that time is the second most important aspect in the learning environment Sometimes it is hard to gauge how long you should give students to complete a task or assignment. Sometimes I feel like I am cheating them out of time to take their tests. If they had more time would they remember the correct answer? Or would they expand in their writing just a little more? At other times I think that the students are cheating themselves. They flirt, fight, and find other ways to not be working on the task at hand.
I have heard from many professors and fellow classmates that you can expect to spend at least $100-$200 dollars of your own money on class supplies every year. Since I am going to be an art teacher, I expect this figure to go up substantially. I am not overly concerned that I won't have all of the things that regular classroom teachers have. I guess I'm more disappointed that the government/schools/school districts don't place equal emphasis on all of the subject areas. I think that limiting students in any way will be detrimental to their development.
"Teachers provide a social and intellectual environment in which students can learn."--James MacGregor Burns (presdential biographer/leadership scholar)
In my experience as a substitute teacher, I would have to say that ambience and physical aspects are tied for the most important part of the learning environment. There is one teacher, Mr. R, who is arguably the most unorganized person I have ever seen. He is a regular third grade classroom teacher in the Elyria Schools. I have subbed for him twice and I have vowed to never do it again! I am definitly not the most organized person, but compared to Mr. R, I am a certified member of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). His bookshelves look like they've just been sick, there are papers scattered all over and around his desk, and the students! The poor sweet students are learning from his example.
Yes, they are very happy with their teacher.
Yes, they like him better than their teacher from last year.
Yes, their classroom is very laid back.
But at what expense?
As a sub, it is confusing and frustrating to be there. I can never find what I need. Walking from the one end of the class to the other is like a slalom event! I can only imagine what bad habits this encourages. Do their teachers the following school year have to retrain each of them?
I think that time is the second most important aspect in the learning environment Sometimes it is hard to gauge how long you should give students to complete a task or assignment. Sometimes I feel like I am cheating them out of time to take their tests. If they had more time would they remember the correct answer? Or would they expand in their writing just a little more? At other times I think that the students are cheating themselves. They flirt, fight, and find other ways to not be working on the task at hand.
I have heard from many professors and fellow classmates that you can expect to spend at least $100-$200 dollars of your own money on class supplies every year. Since I am going to be an art teacher, I expect this figure to go up substantially. I am not overly concerned that I won't have all of the things that regular classroom teachers have. I guess I'm more disappointed that the government/schools/school districts don't place equal emphasis on all of the subject areas. I think that limiting students in any way will be detrimental to their development.
4 comments:
You sure brought up some valid sub issues that I know I have encountered and I'm sure others as well. Here are some comments that really hit home with me:
*Messy classrooms! Wow! I am constantly amazed at this! How do these teachers find ANYTHING! Grade books left wide open with all the grades for anyone to see and test papers scattered everywhere! And not to be too sexist but it is usually the MEN teachers, I've noticed who are the biggest slobs. (OK men it's a blog-here's your forum to defend yourselves!)
And secondly, your point of how much time to give students to complete assignments or tests. Do they need more time or are they just goofing off? Hopefully as teachers we will know more about this.
And finally, spending money for our classroom. I am concerned about this. My sister said she spent hundreds of dollars getting started. Where is all this money going to come from?
Hey Elizabeth:
I resemble that remark!
Hey Jenny:
Your classroom sounds like a walk in the perk!
"Hey, Teacher,
Leave us kids alone!"
Pink Floyd
Haha I feel your frustrations with the unorganized teacher. I've been in that same situation myself. My best suggestion would be to look at it as a learning experience (which it seems you're doing). It is too bad for the kids though. Hope that doesn't rub off on them too much.
"In my experience as a substitute teacher, I would have to say that ambience and physical aspects are tied for the most important part of the learning environment.", And as you point out (and your story illustrates, they are definitely intertwined...
"I guess I'm more disappointed that the government/schools/school districts don't place equal emphasis on all of the subject areas." And that's where you-we all-come in, as teacher/leaders.
As for the money, it is frustrating: we pay teachers poorly, and then rely on them to supply lacking materials. Again, I think, that's where leadership comes in. There was a bill being debated in Congress a few months back to give teachers a tax break/refund for money they spent on their classrooms...not sure where it went, though. Anyone know?
(Hey Mark:
Thanks for the laughs!)
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