What class rules are essential to a positive teaching/learning experience?  How do plan to create a positive learning environment when you have your own classroom?

I feel that the number one rule that needs to be in place for a positive learning experience, for all, is respect. It is a broad rule, but I feel as if it covers just about everything. Respect for fellow classmates, the teacher, the classroom, supplies, etc. As of right now, with some of the older students, I am struggling to gain respect. I feel as if they do not see me as a teacher because they know I am only a temporary fixture in the room. Which sometimes can make it hard to teach. But, I feel that if you demand respect from your students they will give it to you. I know that sounds harass, but without respect for the teacher the classroom would just be chaos.

I guess with this I need to definition what respect means in my classroom. In my ideal world, respect means that students listen when directions are being given. They do what they are told/ asked of. Use materials properly. Do not tease/ bully fellow classmates. And finally, use appropriate language in my classroom.

An example of myself struggling for respect in the classroom happened early on during my student teaching experience. It was the second week, and I was left alone with a room full of 35, 6^th graders during a testing time. The class clown decided it was his time shine. He kept muddling noises every time I walked by and it was hard not to laugh because some of the things he was saying were hilarious. But, I knew I needed to step up. I gave him plenty of chances to stop, but of course he didn’t. So, I kicked him out of the classroom after one last warning. This was my first time being “the mean teacher”. I knew I had to demand respect from him or else he would just walk all over me for the rest of my time there. It turns out that it worked. Not only did he later apologize to me for being disrespectful, I feel as if the rest of the class started to respect me because they were tired of this one student taking out their whole entire class period. Ever since this class period has been easy (or should I say easier) to teach.