| itive classroom environment yields positive students | | | | Strive to do better each day, and think of each |
| who are motivated to learn. Creating a positive | | | | morning as a new beginning. |
| classroom is not that difficult, but the rewards are | | | | Don't consider any question as a "dumb" question |
| immense and far-reaching. Many teachers find that | | | | No question is dumb, especially to the person who is |
| their days have become ho-hum and boring and some | | | | asking it. Not all students learn at the same level, and |
| of them dread their jobs. Perhaps your teaching job did | | | | you should make all questions seem valid, no matter |
| not turn out as you had planned. No matter the reason | | | | what. A good method of achieving this is to say (of |
| for your displeasure, creating a positive classroom | | | | even "dumb" questions), "I am glad that you asked that, |
| environment can improve your enjoyment of your job | | | | and I'm sure others had the same question." Turn each |
| and the attitude of the students you are charged with | | | | question into a positive thing. |
| teaching. The tips that follow will help you turn your | | | | Spread the positivity to parents as well |
| classroom environment into a positive one. | | | | Making positive calls home is important. Parents like to |
| Welcome your students | | | | hear about what their kids are doing, and kids love to |
| An important part of creating your positive classroom | | | | be complimented in the presence of their parents. |
| is to make your students feel like you want them to | | | | Make it a point to call every parent at least one time |
| be there. Welcome your students with a smile and tell | | | | during the first few months of school, and follow up |
| them how glad you are to see them each day. | | | | with a phone call during the last part of the year as |
| Avoid showing anger | | | | well. |
| All teachers are going to get upset from time to time, | | | | Accept your students for who they are |
| but the key to maintaining a positive attitude is to not | | | | Students are always going to dress how they want |
| show your anger. Stop, breathe, and think. And then | | | | and regardless of what you might think about it |
| move on to something else as soon as possible. | | | | (assuming it's within the school's dress code), keep |
| Students can sense that you are upset and will | | | | your opinion to yourself. Never comment on a |
| appreciate the fact that you didn't "blow up". You can | | | | student's appearance, even if you are pleased with the |
| be assured that most students know when they cross | | | | way that they look (this can make other students feel |
| the line, so why make it worse by going off into a fit of | | | | that you do not like their look). Each student is an |
| anger? Some students will bait you frequently if they | | | | individual, and what is important is what is on the inside. |
| get a hint that you are easy to anger. | | | | These are just a few simple suggestions for creating |
| Look at each day in a fresh, new light | | | | a positive classroom environment so that you can |
| Have a bad day today? Tomorrow is a new day, full | | | | enhance your enjoyment of your job and your |
| of new possibilities. Each day that you spend in the | | | | success as a teacher. Becoming an effective teacher |
| classroom is a new opportunity to foster learning. | | | | takes time, hard work, and dedication. |