Classroom management is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching to write about - because it is so nuanced and complex. We need to keep the classroom kind, civil, and a purposeful place for the entire community, and we need to care for every kid as an individual. Balancing the needs of the community and the individual student is so difficult. You've done a marvelous job of writing about this complexity while holding onto your own, and the students', humanity.
Not only is classroom management difficult and complex, each new batch of students I receive come to school with more and more challenging behaviors. It is a constant challenge, and something I think about often. Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed this piece.
This essay made me feel less alone. I’ve never read or heard someone describe so well (at all) what it means to struggle to give kids the most possible autonomy while keeping guardrails around our values and the need to grow. What you hinted at is that when you “manage” (but really, lead) like this, you’re never certain. Too much freedom? Too much accountability? You do the best you can every day to thread the needle, then you reflect on how you did, and then you try it again the next day with a brand blend of attitudes, feelings, and motivations.
Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment! I’m happy to hear that you resonated with my current (and always) struggles as a teacher. I have a feeling that I will be wrestling with these questions for my entire teaching career.
That’s funny because I don’t think I could teach seniors! I try to treat my fifth-graders like the seniors of the elementary school, but they are, in fact, still only 10 years old. I can’t imagine what they will be like when they are 17!
I will readily admit, I did not wake up thinking I'd be nodding to myself and thinking, "I'm a naked autocrat, too!" 😂
Genuinely loved this piece, and the affirmation that your family conferences brought to your values came across so clearly. (Helpful reminder for me, too, with our own conferences this week.)
Thanks! I've been thinking a lot about the term "warm demander" and how, for me, it is tied up in how much autonomy I try to give my students. It often backfires, which may be more related to my students' generation and how they have been parented. But, I keep coming back to having high expectations for academics and behavior, and for how students navigate the classroom space. Good luck with conferences this week!
Classroom management is one of the most difficult aspects of teaching to write about - because it is so nuanced and complex. We need to keep the classroom kind, civil, and a purposeful place for the entire community, and we need to care for every kid as an individual. Balancing the needs of the community and the individual student is so difficult. You've done a marvelous job of writing about this complexity while holding onto your own, and the students', humanity.
That individualized piece is so important. It's so tough in September, when we don't know our kids as well.
Not only is classroom management difficult and complex, each new batch of students I receive come to school with more and more challenging behaviors. It is a constant challenge, and something I think about often. Thanks for commenting! I'm glad you enjoyed this piece.
THIS IS GOLD
🙏🏻
This essay made me feel less alone. I’ve never read or heard someone describe so well (at all) what it means to struggle to give kids the most possible autonomy while keeping guardrails around our values and the need to grow. What you hinted at is that when you “manage” (but really, lead) like this, you’re never certain. Too much freedom? Too much accountability? You do the best you can every day to thread the needle, then you reflect on how you did, and then you try it again the next day with a brand blend of attitudes, feelings, and motivations.
Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment! I’m happy to hear that you resonated with my current (and always) struggles as a teacher. I have a feeling that I will be wrestling with these questions for my entire teaching career.
This makes me so glad I teach Seniors. Barely any classroom management needed. I would STRUGGLE teaching 10 year olds!
That’s funny because I don’t think I could teach seniors! I try to treat my fifth-graders like the seniors of the elementary school, but they are, in fact, still only 10 years old. I can’t imagine what they will be like when they are 17!
I bet they love being treated like the seniors of the elementary school, and I bet your students REALLY appreciate it once they get to middle school.
And they'll be amazing as 17 year olds :) I teach sophomores and seniors. The growth in just those two years is amazing.
I will readily admit, I did not wake up thinking I'd be nodding to myself and thinking, "I'm a naked autocrat, too!" 😂
Genuinely loved this piece, and the affirmation that your family conferences brought to your values came across so clearly. (Helpful reminder for me, too, with our own conferences this week.)
Thanks! I've been thinking a lot about the term "warm demander" and how, for me, it is tied up in how much autonomy I try to give my students. It often backfires, which may be more related to my students' generation and how they have been parented. But, I keep coming back to having high expectations for academics and behavior, and for how students navigate the classroom space. Good luck with conferences this week!