Structured Learning Environments

Creating a safe environment for students is one of the most important tasks for teachers. Without it, students cannot be expected to reach their true academic potential. Achieving this atmosphere includes multiple strategies and methods. First, it is important for teachers to create a communal feeling in their classrooms. A great first step in this process is getting to know your students. For me, it is natural to genuinely care about students as people, and to understand that they have lives outside of my classroom. By respecting this and considering it while developing my own curriculum, that respect will in turn be developed by my students. Students must also respect each other in the classroom. In this way, structure of the classroom is essential. By doing the small things, such as allowing each student a turn to voice their thoughts in a discussion, the precedent will eventually become automatic. I am a big believer in implementing discipline as prevention rather than punishment. What I mean by this is that I work hard to create classroom lessons and situations that will naturally lead away from unwanted conflict, rather than waiting for problems and then fixing them. Once again, community and respect in a classroom play a big part in this. Furthermore, these routines will then be capable of preparing students for life after their traditional education setting. Indeed, school is the scaffold between home and independence. In shaping students to be vulnerable, maintain relationships, and be self-disciplined, they will be prepared for life after the classroom.