Culturally Responsive Management Strategies

Classroom Management

Educators today have it tough! The expectations of what a classroom should look like is almost like a "fairy tale classroom".  Many times parents will want to see certain things in their child's classroom, even though those behaviors are not seen in the home.  I understand there needs to be an authority figure in the classroom, but I think parents and educators need to collaborate when it comes to achieving success within the classroom.  

Over the years educators have lost their authority in the classroom, there are so many limitations with what a teacher can do in regards to discipline, many teachers feel their hands are tied.  Whether it be out of fear, or concern for their position, educators are at a loss when it comes to classroom management if they so not have the support of the administration and the parents.  Today's educators need to be prepared for the parents just as much for the students, and this is why training and education is crucial for educators who will be working in institutions where students' are known to act out, or the climate or school culture is known to be rough.

I believe classroom management is a team effort.  Yes it is the responsibility of the teacher to control the classroom and provide a safe environment for all students, but there needs to be outside support.  Educators need to take the time to evaluate their classroom and take the necessary steps to build relationships, and establish guidelines, but educators need to know that parents and the school administration will support them in their decisions when it comes to classroom management   

When educators are properly trained, and are provided with the necessary tools, they are more confident in making the necessary decisions when it comes to controlling a classroom.  I think parents as well as the administration and the students also need to have some accountability in classroom management also. Students need to be held accountable for their actions, as do parents for their children.  Students need to see structure all around them, not just in the classroom.  when parents take the necessary steps in the home and provide guidance  that guidance will be reflected in the classroom and in their child's behavior.  If a child lacks those skills and an educator has attempted to control the situation and the student continues to act out, then I believe the parent holds a level of responsibility and needs to be held accountable.  when a team effort is made the chances of success increase.

We have enough violence in the world and it is a shame that so much violence spills into our schools and classrooms.  We as educators and community members need to take an active role in ensuring safety in the classroom and in our communities.  I believe if we work together classroom management can be effective and students will reap the benefits in their future success.

Promoting greatness by finding assets in People

The ability to recognize an asset is a tool that many might consider a survival skill.  Looking for a potential in a person and seeing the benefit they can provide might be seen as a negative, but I see it as savvy. Many times we are limited by what we do not see, or believe we do not have. In reality people often limit themselves because they are not able to use the resources they have around them.  We often are taught to believe we make our own success and we need to make our own achievements, but seeing the potential in others around us, might just be the most resourceful tool we have to make our own success.

As a future educator I hope my students will be able to work together and see success when combining talents with their peers.  I hope to show students that they can learn just as much from their peers, as they can from their own experiences. When students are able to work together and build on each others skills, and assets they are often able to achieve a higher level of success. As a future educator, and a student I have found learning how to work together can be one of the best lessons learned in life. Working together for a common goal is much easier to achieve, when a team comes together and combines their efforts.  The hardest part in achieving this, is usually building trust, and acknowledging team work is the best path.  If one is able to successfully assemble members who are willing, then success will follow.

This is the mindset I want to portray as an educator in the field, and to my future students.  I want my cohorts  in the field to know I am there to assist them in meeting their goals, and open to their input and feedback in accomplishing mine.  I know I have a set of skills, and work best when I have a team to help me achieve mine.  I hope to encourage my students to look for a team of friends/classmates within their classroom or school that will promote them in achieving their goals.  I want them to seek out friends and see the potential in them, as I hope to in each of my students.

I want to see the potential in each of my students, so they are able to also see that same potential in their friends, classmates, and hopefully in themselves as well.

Building Relationships

Opportunity Gaps- In our society we are separated by several things and it starts very early on in life.  Some believe we play a part in that separation with the decisions we make, the people we choose to be friends with, and how we live our lives, but I feel society impacts our mindset more than we think.  Separation starts as early as our education does, our environment, our social class, often determines where we go to school, who teaches the class, and what is being taught. Many of these will impact how we see the world, and our place in it.  It is not uncommon for schools in low socio-economic areas to have less funding, and inadequate standards, even though public education is state and federally funded.

I believe it is these differences that create opportunity gaps in our society. 

It is important that we recognize these gaps, and make improvements in effort to close them.  I feel it is important for educators to learn how to understand these gaps and why they exist.  Once they are able to understand why these gaps exist, they can look for tools that may counter the effects.
I think it is important for educators to understand, that they are not limited by their budget. Educators need to discover tools within them and their students that can be utilized to close these gaps within education.  Building friendships and rapport with students can be an effective tool, just as discovering the cultures within the classroom, and exposing students to different thoughts within academia   I understand educators need to meet requirements, and devote time to designated curriculum, but use that curriculum and infuse the students.
I truly feel any effort outside of the box, is a move in the right direction.  I love the idea of stepping out of the box.  I think trying new things is what makes people grow and develop.  Often we will evaluate something on its effectiveness, but we also learn from mistakes, and sometimes we learn more from our errors than our successes.
I hope this will encourage educators to try.  I live under the motto try, what you can lose.  Some might say a lot, but sometimes loosing, is what builds success.  When you try and success is not seen, you know what does not work, and you know not to continue.  I believe knowing not what to do, is just as effective and important, as knowing what to do.  I feel as a future educator, as long as I am trying, I cannot loose.
I would appreciate any feedback from educators and their experiences with stepping out of the box

Learning to manage time