Day 1: What Do I Know About Classroom Culture

    As a long time student and a self-professed amazing teacher it is awkward to admit that blogging is intimidating to me. I set out with the notion that this blog would be a rally cry that would change how we treat classroom culture. I sat down in front of my computer screen and began typing about how the digital age of learning has given student options when it comes to their education and how educators need to not only plan lessons that meet students’ academic needs, but also their social and emotional needs as well.   

     But that didn’t happen. Two or three paragraphs in I began to realize that my writing didn’t feel organic, that by forcing myself to type about an issue this important wouldn’t be easy and couldn’t be defined in one sitting. So I went back and reread what I typed and after much reworking decided to scrape the piece and start here. As an educator I think I have forgotten what it means to be a creative writer and thinker. I spend my evenings and weekends finding new ways to get my students to think creatively and have begun to lose my own passion for learning. I think this is where I have gone wrong. Our classrooms should not be seen as remote islands where we rule over our students as educational gods putting our students through trials and tests, but as working societies that should not only include our students, but ourselves as well.

     I think many teachers and support staff have forgotten what it is like to be on the other side of the desk (due to the ever growing demands and budget cuts placed upon them) and should take a moment and think about how their classroom looks and feels from their students point of view. We are not robots that activate when the bell rings (no matter how much it may feel like it some days), but active members of our own classrooms. So I implore you to take a moment, step from behind your desk and have a seat where your students do and look around. I want you to imagine yourself in front of the classroom teaching and reflect on if you are happy with what you see.

If you are: I want you reconsider what you see from your most difficult or unengaged students point of you. I want you to think about why they are unengaged and what interests they might have outside of your classroom.

If not: Then be proud of yourself for seeing that there are ways you can improve.

      As I said previously this blog was meant to be a rally cry that redefined how classroom culture is seen and treated. However, that is not the case or at least not at this time. This blog instead will be a reflection of sorts that hopefully helps others and myself rediscover why it is we had become educators and from there how to best meet our students’ academic and emotional needs,