Personal Statement
and Summary of Theory
A classroom community is a group of individuals in an education setting that works together, respect one another, and all are attentive learners. The overarching goal is to support one another, strive to be the best, respect all opinions/others points of views, learn from one another and to endeavor all possibilities of education. By day one, as an educator, I will be building and establishing a classroom community. A classroom community sets up the school year for success and teaches the children on how to work/collaborate together and to respect one another. Not only that, it teaches everyone that education is a privilege and we thrive when we join forces and ponder/learn together. In addition, it teaches students to problem solve. As well as, it lets the teacher allow the students to come up with appropriate measures rather than punish. Meanwhile, the teacher models this problem-solving skills on what to do – how to do it and the children pick up on these methods simultaneously. Moreover, issues are not a common factor and if something arises then it tends to run more smoothly because of the classroom community. All in all, everyone in the classroom needs each other to flourish in their learning. The children and the teacher soon realize it is best to work/respect one another.
Moreover, that is why I will focus on Glasser’s choice theory to my classroom management plan.” Glasser’s choice theory is focused on person choice, person responsibility and person transformation. As teachers we must abandon traditional methods of teaching to our students and have whole classroom meetings to discuss the curriculum, classroom expectations and the consistent evaluation of their work (as a group). "Also, Dr. Glasser translates choice theory into a productive, classroom model of team learning with emphasis on satisfaction and excitement. Working in small teams, students find that knowledge contributes to power, friendship and fun” (Glasser). Likewise, the students are more (individually) motivated to learn and behave when there is purpose established as a classroom. Therefore, Glasser’s method is focused on a holistic meeting to support student’s individual motivation to want to learn and thus, the positive behavior will follow accordingly. In addition, according to Olutayo, another goal is to “examine teachers' and learners' attitudes and classroom practice that are perceived to be of crucial influence in the enhancement of a beneficial learning environment in the classroom; which is the one that will foster creativity. It concludes by suggesting that students will develop skills in creativity when they are given freedom of choice in their learning experiences”.
Moving forward, the focal point of my classroom is to build a community that surrounds overall learning and creativity. The over-arching goal is to teach the children prosocial skills to launch more positive mediation skills that are geared toward decent choices/decisions. Therefore, By creating a positive classroom community and practicing prosocial -choice influenced skills will benefit my students. Not only that, it will supply them with lifelong skills on how to manage conflict when it arises in other classes or even outside of the classroom. Overall, I want my students to know how to treat one another (and myself as the teacher). I want them to know that they are allowed to make decisions, but I want them to know that every decision that they make is followed by either a positive or negative consequence. Ultimately, it is their choice/decision on how to behave and they must live with whatever outcome may be.
In essence, my viewpoint of education is to implement ways to enhance the students' abilities to think critically, think in diverse perspectives, analytically and creatively. To incorporate relatability / connections what they are teaching to everyday life. I will have my students evaluate their thinking and understanding to further their knowledge. As well as, I will highlight that it is okay to make mistakes and that we can learn from our mistakes. Plus, I would have students learn to make appropriate choices about their behavior. By doing this, it teaches them positive moral values that they can utilize in and out of the classroom. These values and expectations will benefit them when they get older and help mold them into proactive people.
SOURCES:
Glasser, W. (1988). Choice theory in the classroom (Rev. ed.). New York: Quill
Olutayo, B. G. (2012). USING GLASSER'S CHOICE THEORY to FOSTER CREATIVITY. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, 32(1), 20-26. R http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.gvsu.edu/docview/1117024358?accountid=39473