SPED 608 (Classroom Management)

After class on Monday (July 7, 2008), I dashed back to Coos Bay and met with my supervisor about next year. We also discussed my last year. She went over my evaluation (Which was favorable) and we discussed what next year will look like. Needless to say, Classroom Management (Both staff and students) was our main topic of discussion.

My greatest challenge for next year is to become a leader within my classroom. I need to convey to my staff that they are acting within the confines of my license and I am responsible for their behavior. I need to provide my instructional assistants with more direction, a sense of what I want to do within my classrooms, and where we need to go and what we're going to do.

When I decided to become a teacher, my greatest concern was not the paperwork or the meetings, but the instructional assistants. I didn't become a teacher because I wanted to supervise staff, but it's something I have to do. My supervisor said that I "had a difficult assignment this school year. He was assigned three classrooms in two different cities all while going to school in Eugene. I commend him for completing his schooling a[nd] juggling this heavy load."

It's nice that my supervisor thought (Hopefully still thinks) so much of me, but I tend to focus on what didn't work last year. I can make excuses about why things didn't work or I can blame others for what happened, but neither path helps me with my classroom. Again, I need to become a leader and take control of my classroom. I need to direct my instructional assistants.

My supervisor had several ideas to help me with my staff next year. I will be implementing some (If not all) of them. I'm going to start weekly staff meetings with all of my staff in one room. I need to work on clear direction for my curriculum and schedules. I need to make these classrooms my own. I need to create a team from a group of individuals.

I have several things on my side of the fence, too. I've got more experience now and I know my staff and students. I will only be at one school (Two classrooms, one city) and that will help a LOT. I know what I want to do in my classrooms and I know how I'm going to do it. Getting my staff to join me in my vision will be challenge, but not impossible. I can't say that I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I do think I'm up to it and I do think my students are worth it.

I'm looking forward to a good year. Keep your fingers crossed.