Classroom Management

The Power of Keeping Your Cool

September 7, 2015

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Photo credit: US Department of Education via flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Many of us have done it. After losing patience, we've become a bit snappy with a room full of students or raised our voices a level or two higher than we should have. It happens. The longer you teach, the more probable an incidence (or two) becomes.

Responsive, Not Reactive

Once a teacher loses it with a class or student, it takes some time to rebuild that feeling of safety and trust within those four walls, so it's wise to avoid heading in that direction early. If you are a new teacher, it's important to develop good habits around routinely using a calm and appropriate voice level with your students. (We've all heard the explosive teacher down the hall in another classroom. It's not pretty -- and far from conducive to learning.)

When you feel on edge, here are some ways to be responsive rather than reactive:

Staying Healthy

As the new school year gets underway, let's recall some of the basic personal care that helps us stay calm and cool in the classroom:

Calm, Cool, and Collected

By the way, calm doesn't mean using a flat or monotone voice. When reading aloud, posing a question, or explaining the exciting choices your students will have for an upcoming project, continue to be your dramatic, upbeat self.

Students mirror our energy. If we stay calm when teaching -- giving instructions, addressing individuals or the whole class -- it's amazing to see that this, too, happens with them. Whether we want the responsibility or not, we are constantly modeling for the children we teach ways to be out in the world.

We want them to see that kindness, flexibility, and a tranquil approach to others are vital skills to develop. Using one of the oldest and best practices in our business -- Show, Not Tell -- is the way to guide your students to emulate these very actions.

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  • Classroom Management
  • New Teachers
  • Professional Learning

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