February 21

st
, 2014 Zachary Dill
Philosophy of Education

What is Classroom Management?
Everyone is faced with the choice of right or wrong. In one day, or an hour for that
matter, a single person will encounter a decision, as minor one may be, which will reside as
either a positive or negative conclusion. All humans have some sort of agreement as to what
right and wrong are. For example, a teacher might say to a student, How would you feel if
someone did the same to you? The teacher is appealing to some sort of standard he/she is
expecting the student to know about. The student rarely says, I dont need to listen to your
correction. Both parties have in mind, some sort of law or appropriate behavior, of which they
both agree. These ideas are closely related to the writings of C.S. Lewis. [Human] beings, all
over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot
really get rid of it (Lewis, 8). This Law of Nature is not taught and is understood to be
imbedded naturally. We all have failed to practice the kinds of acceptable behavior we expect
from other people. What about that time you mistreated a student because you had a lack of sleep
the night before? And this leads up to saying human beings find it difficult to succeed in keeping
par with the Law of Nature. Is this knowledge of moral law beneficial in the teaching
environment?
A teacher must explicitly state the expectations to the students. One example of this
would include the classroom rules all children are to follow. These rules are usually discussed on
the first day of class. The expectations are stated first for the students to use as a directive in the
ways they conduct themselves and the behavior they express towards their peers. Rules present a
sense of higher order that, in a way, reigns over the children. The children must realize that the
teacher is responsible for managing the class. Also, having the students identify and review
February 21
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, 2014 Zachary Dill
instructions for assignments gives each child a chance to resolve any confusion. The teacher is
able to answer any questions or respond to any thoughts presented. This communication between
the class and teacher elevates the students level of personal responsibility.
What is the teachers role in the classroom/community?
To specifically discuss the role of a teacher, one must look at their presence in the
classroom and community. It is very likely to assume all grade school educators know the
methods or approach and the content to teach what should be taught in the classroom, as well as
manage relationships with the community. The question of how to lead in this role is followed
by a set of standards. These standards raise the expectations of the educational experience above
the norm for each child. The teacher must prove they are a master in their field of study.
Without certification the position would compromise each students potential growth. For
instance, a pilot with a recreational license would not fly a commercial jet. Both acts would
jeopardize the lives of all the passengers and the pilots themselves. The same would apply to an
educator employed by a certain district who requires certifications in the necessary area of
teaching. With this understanding, it is believed students will show positive growth within the
academic curriculum. Along with effective teaching strategies, includes the use of a classroom
management plan consistently executed at all times. The do as I say, not as I do approach will
get you nowhere. What a teacher models as appropriate behavior and what is expected of the
children should be without difference. Manipulation of behaviors requires effective actions that
are clear, reasonable, and appropriate for the age of the child.
What is the purpose of education?
Teaching with equity and fairness leads to a highly functional learning environment.
Education in the school is a stable structure built on the intention to assist in a childs academic
February 21
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, 2014 Zachary Dill
growth. A school for one student is utopia, for another a burden. What causes these differences?
Many factors can affect a childs desires. Regardless, the teacher is a master of the subject and
well versed in the implementation of structure and stability. Some children do not receive
consistent living outside of the school. It is the teacher who will shine in a world of uncertainty
in a childs life.
What is the role of a student?
Diverse environments produce challenging situations for educators and school
administration. A child does not choose between race, styles of learning, culture, gender, or
economic status. There are certain variables that surrender to predetermination. All living
creatures follow a specific diet found in their genetic make-up. Whether you vote for one
political party or the other is a preference. During a plane ride, there is the option between
choosing soda or water, and deciding between the sweet honey-roasted peanuts or the lightly
salted, but the chance a plane might shift off course is not a matter of choice, but of the
uncontrollable. In the classroom, there are student with the ability to shift a style of teaching off
course. Again, the child does not bring forth their diverse traits to thwart a lesson. A student will
engage in learning when the teacher accommodates their diverse needs. Meeting these needs
pose to be quite difficult at first without knowing the childrens background and educational
history.








February 21
st
, 2014 Zachary Dill
Works Cited

Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. Harper Collins ed. New York: Harper Collins, 1980. Print.