#iteachfifth

I have linked this in my TPT (it’s FREE) store and Instagram account but also wanted to share it here. This is an editable version of my own classroom management plan. I have annotated each heading with questions that will hopefully guide your thinking and help you plan out each and every second of your day. I hope this brings you success in your classroom and I encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas with me!

As I continue to look at my OWN biases and how I might influence what I teach, I’m continuously struggling to make sure my own opinions don’t fall into what I’m teaching. I don’t know if other educators struggle with this, but I know I do. I’ve always thought that I was a pretty translucent teacher and that I approached things with all sides of the story- But I am now realizing that I tend to lean towards subjects that are more comfortable for me to teach and ideals that match my own. I don’t always like to push the envelope. I’m working on empathy and understanding. I’m working on patience and creating a culture where my students WANT to come to school. Classroom management? I’m working on that.

I’m actually reading a book by Dr. Dee Bell Williams called “Culture-Focused Teaching.” And it talks about how to manage the classroom in an effective way. Something that resonated with me in particular is in chapter 11 titled “creating a culture of vulnerability.” It discusses how an educator needs to create a classroom in which children feel safe so they can share their emotions. I’ve always believed that relationships are the most important part of teaching students and that if they feel comfortable with you they will explain the emotions behind the actions. Classroom management is a huge component of maintaining a CFC (culture focused classroom), and Dr. Dee continues to explain that through the three Key Components listed in her book, you can create a space students feel comfortable In. I’m working on that.

SIDE NOTE: This concept of creating vulnerability made me realize that educators also need to do this with each other. I think sometimes teachers have a difficult time becoming vulnerable with one another because it seems like it’s such a “cut-throat” system. I don’t think teachers have realized how beneficial it can be to work together. This is not something that comes easily, especially when you work with others who might not embrace team work, but it’s worth the effort. I’m working on that.

I’ve always been fairly good at classroom management, but it never occurred to me that the systems I have in place could be encouraging a negative approach rather then an opportunity to grow and learn. That belief of oppressing the situation rather then addressing it really bothered me. I know that when I’m in the heat of the moment, there really isn’t always time to hash out the actions behind the behavior. But I feel like the shifting of thinking and the changing of our educational systems might enable me to spend that time really getting down to the root of what’s going on with my students.Why are we always trying to “fix” or stop situations rather then discuss them? I realized that my classroom management plan might be enabling the latter and I’m not okay with that. Of course I never went into designing my management plan with suppression in mind-However as I study systematic racism I’m learning some of the procedures that are in place are in fact geared towards silencing children rather than understanding them. I’m working on that.

Looking closely at my past discipline logs, putting student relationships first is likely why I don’t have as many issues in the classroom, but there are always those students that you just don’t “click” with. Sometimes discipline has to be done and as I look at my classroom management plan, although I don’t feel it is set in oppression, I do feel that there are places where I could ensure more empathy and discussions rather than punishment. I think I could create more opportunities to learn and discuss. I’m working on that.

I’m tired of looking at the world with rose colored glasses. The world is going through a metamorphosis of change and it’s SO important to talk about it.

I have recently gained a following of students from my community which I think is awesome! I love maintaining those relationships and my students are the future of our nation. However, because of this, I often find myself thinking about what I’m posting and what my intentions are for what I post. I censor myself because I don’t want to offend anyone. And sometimes I don’t always speak up and say what should be said- and I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry for that passive thinking. But today I’m making the decision to post what I feel in my gut, needs to be said. I don’t know why I didn’t think like this before, but I know that people watch and see what I say and do. And I take that as an honor. I take that seriously. I want to make sure I’m influencing the important causes and using my platform well.

The year 2020 has been absolutely insane, the emotional upheaval that has come upon our nation is overbearing but essential. In someways, I feel the pandemic was a blessing in disguise. I feel like everyone was stripped down to their emotional cores. We were raw and then George Floyd happened. The proverbial bottle had been shaken and the damn thing exploded! How could it not? 400 years. Let that sink in FOUR HUNDRED years of oppression, abuse and god knows what else. Protesting and what some are saying a rebellion has begun. This will be written in history. We will talk about this for many years to come and we SHOULD! Today is day 8 and we continue to preach: Black lives DO matter. I think it’s important that we have the conversation, we join the organizations, we march when we can, and we stand up for what we we believe in. We shift our thinking. As a teacher I have a platform and I need to use it. Some will say I’m pushing an agenda. The answer is yes- I AM. If that’s a problem, let’s talk about it. I’m here to listen too.

I see my students posting black squares but no actions- they may not even know what their options for action are. I see them using the wrong hashtags, and I see the confusion and misunderstanding is across Instagram. I want to help, but I don’t want to overstep. I also don’t and REFUSE to sit back, but I want to HELP educate. And the best way for me to do that is to educate myself. I’ve started that process already-

As far as helping others, this is what I can offer right now. A place to discuss, advocate, call to action, etc. mi casa es su casa-So this is me opening the door. My classroom has an open door policy and so does my blog. If someone wants to talk, then please drop me a comment or email. If you have a resource or idea, share it with me. Let’s not forget how we feel right now. Let’s use this as fuel. And as a white person, we need to use our voices to speak for those who are not heard. We need to vote. We need to email. We need to do more then sit behind the screen. We can do this. I can do this.

A friend recently shared a cute story with me about a young woman who was on her death bed. She asked for her pastor and was discussing her final wishes with him. Her final request was to be buried with a fork. “ why do you want a fork?” The pastor asked. The young woman explained that every time she attended a social event or dinner, and the plates were being cleared from the table, someone would always lean over and whisper, “keep your fork.” There was always more to come. There was always a delicious dessert, or sweet treat, but there was more to follow the intended meal- Something better.

It’s been a hot minute since I posted. I’ve been busy with life in general and to be honest, the blog just hasn’t been a priority.... but I feel like this might be a platform for me to utilize and speak up regarding education. I’m really not a political person and I don’t like to discuss publicly my views most times... BUT, when it comes to education, I have a hard time NOT speaking up.

Over the last few weeks I have had so many opportunities online to connect with other educators and learn from them. I’m learning about inclusivity. I’m learning about poverty moreso then I ever did. I’m learning about technology and how to adjust my current method of teaching. And I’m learning that even though things in education have changed, in many ways, the things about education that I wish didn’t exists, continue to stay the same. I am linking my Instagram post regarding my feelings on this. Give it a clickity-click-click and check it out!

So I did it-I took the leap and I accepted the offer to take on a project. To be honest, I was terrified. I didn’t want the job, or to work with the people involved on the project, or deal with the drama that came of this project...but I did it anyway...It took 35 hours of my life on paper, but after the fallout from the other people involved, it was more like 40 hours. I think I got a little more gray hair as a result, and I got pushback from people who refused to ackknowledge that the project provided was positive. BUT, I learned to delegate. I leaned not to take things personal. I learned to follow my gut and be thorough. And I also learned that I am more than capable, I know what I’m doing and I need to trust in myself more.

This was a tough project and my involvement was the result of having to remove people from certain tasks and put me in as a replacement. Needless to say, the vibe was already a tad bit negative. However, I did a very thorough job and made sure to do my best. I also prepped myself mentally to let the chips fall as they may and not take any feedback personally. I tried to look at everything with neutral eyes and tried to keep the project goals in mind at all times.

After a month of reviewing my project, a few changes were requested and they were absolutely valid. However, there were also a few suggestions that were blatant attempts to undermine my work. At this point I realized what a blessing/curse this project was. My admin was able to see through the requests and handled it accordingly, however it really upset me that we even had to deal with that situation. It made me think about working with other people and I asked myself “do I lift others up? Do I acknowledge others success?” And I realized that my answer to this was “yes”, but also “...but you can do better.”

These are the types of situations that make it difficult to work with colleagues. I know my school can’t be the only place where there is a struggle to get along. I don’t understand why grade level teams can’t collaborate and come together. Sometimes I feel like it’s a contest to see who is better then someone else. And I don’t know how to fix that other then by modeling. (It’s the teacher in me 😉.)

With that being said, my new project is to try and build up my colleagues- even the ones who I have had struggled with this year. At the end of the day, we (me) must maintain professionalism and keep the student’s best interest in mind.

SO, the other highlight of this project was my ability to put myself out there. I showed my admin that I’m willing to take on the work. It resulted in a fantastic invitation to attend an out-of-town training this summer, as well as a potential new position in the future. It’s all about making connections and staying positive!