The first day that you are the teacher of record is the day of your career that you will never forget. Make it a great memory - or at the very least, hope it becomes a really funny story later on.
Any veteran teacher will tell new teachers that if you don't get a handle on classroom management that very first day, you're doomed. That's almost always the case. You can, however, redeem yourself and start over with the students who are bound and determined to run the teacher. You just don't want to if you don't have to!
The first step in successful classroom management is visualization. This is true if it's your first day, or at any time in your career. Very clearly in your mind, visualize what your well managed classroom looks like. See every detail, imagine your every move. Do NOT generalize, be specific. Write these images down. Next to each image write down what you need to make it happen, or what action you need to take. Without these specifics, you won't be able to execute. Once this becomes your habit of mind, you won't need to write anything down—it will become automatic. If you're new to teaching, write it all down and hold yourself accountable.
Above all, just remember, if you are the only college educated adult in the room, why wouldn't you be in charge?
Happy teaching!
Stef
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Classroom management is so important and it has many influences including school, the classroom environment itself, and even at home. It is the teacher's responsibility to provide that environment that is conductive to learning and a way for students to be encouraged and stay focused. Some of the ways to make your classroom have a better environment are in the following: arrange your classroom so that all the students can see you and vice versa, make sure that you can move easily around the classroom (between chairs, tables), have clear rules and expectations, consequences, both positive and negatives, written and posted clearly. These are just some ways to have better classroom management.
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