Effective classroom management strategies are instrumental in order to optimize learning.  It is important for the teacher to establish an appropriate rapport with students while maintaining their respect.  To that end the teacher should be empathetic, honest, fair, respectful and personable enough without infringing the professionalism of the  relationship that she or he has created with the students.

The layout of the class is important for good classroom management.  I believe that younger students should in many cases be appropriated in a seating plan.  The teacher should decide on such a plan in advance once she or he has gotten to know the students.  When the teacher decides to go about changing the seating arrangements, he or she should be mindful of which students are disruptive, which ones are quiet and which ones have IEPs.  Personally, I think that shy students should be put closer to the front so that they are encouraged to talk more and so that the teacher can get to know them more easily even though they are shy.  Disruptive students usually should not be seated with other disruptive students so that there are fewer behavioural issues.  These tips on seating arrangements actually make the class go a lot more efficaciously and help to create a better learning environment for all.  However, it is rather controlling.  I do not apply a seating plan to classes with senior students unless I think it’s absolutely necessary.

Another important set of concepts to remember regarding classroom management is that teachers show that they are honest and accountable.  When students feel that they can trust their teachers, they generally work harder in the class in an effort to impress her or him and they engage in social emotional learning at a better rate.  Trust makes students feel safe in the classroom which will prevent them from being truant.  If the teacher makes a claim or a pledge she or he should follow through with it in order for the student(s) to maintain their trust in that teacher.

Finally, a teacher can easily command the respect of her or his class by getting involved in extra-curricular activities and making it clear that she or he cares about her or his students outside of the context of the classroom.  During my practicum, I attended many student events and I sponsored the Tutoring Club, where students tutor others who are struggling in certain subjects.  In one case, I went to a football game in which many of my grade 8 students were playing.  Many of the students were very happy that I attended this game and thanked me coming the following Monday when I saw them in class again.