Starting out as a first-year teacher, I felt fully prepared with a solid understanding of my content and a strong grasp of pedagogy.
However, despite this confidence, I quickly discovered that classroom management was a different beast entirely. Balancing the fine line between being too strict and too lenient proved to be a monumental challenge.
I learned that knowing your subject well isn’t enough — effective teaching requires mastering the art of creating a consistent, supportive environment for all students.
Too Strict or Too Permissive? The Uncomfortable Reality
In my quest to establish control and maintain focus, I initially leaned toward a stricter approach. I enforced rules rigidly, thinking that this would create an environment conducive to learning.
What I didn’t anticipate was how this approach stifled the joy and creativity that should be a part of every classroom.
My students followed the rules, but they weren’t thriving — they were simply complying.
Realizing that my classroom had become too rigid, I swung the pendulum in the opposite direction, opting for a more permissive approach. I wanted my students to feel more comfortable and engaged, so I loosened the reins.
Unfortunately, this led to a different set of problems.
With fewer boundaries, students began to test limits, leading to a chaotic environment where learning took a backseat to managing disruptions. It became clear that neither extreme was an effective classroom management strategy.
Other schools have faced these same challenges, as detailed in the case studies linked below. Check them out!
The Importance of Consistency in Classroom Management
This struggle left me feeling like I was failing my students. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t find the balance in my classroom management skills needed to meet their diverse needs:
- Some students thrived under structure
- Others needed more freedom to express themselves
The lack of a consistent, supportive environment meant that no one was truly getting what they needed, and it was deeply frustrating.
I recently had a colleague mention something to me that really resonated with the experience that I, as well as many other first year teachers, had.
Imagine that every city you drove through had different driving laws and rules. How out of control and confused would you feel? Would you feel confident in what was expected of you, or would you be frustrated and nervous?
That’s what it is like for students in schools where behavior expectations aren’t consistent from teacher to teacher and day to day. No wonder students struggle in these environments!
Research shows that student behavior significantly impacts teacher satisfaction and retention. In fact, according to the National Education Association, issues with student behavior are one of the top reasons teachers leave the profession within the first five years.
Reflecting on my experiences, I can see how true this is. The constant battle to manage student behavior took a toll on my enthusiasm and energy.
How SchoolMint Hero Could Have Helped
Looking back, a tool like SchoolMint Hero would have been a game-changer in my classroom.
SchoolMint Hero is a student behavior and attendance-tracking system designed to help teachers, administrators, and parents work together to create a positive school environment.
It offers a structured framework for rewarding positive behavior while addressing negative behavior in a consistent, fair manner.
One of the key benefits of a PBIS system like SchoolMint Hero is its ability to provide consistency in managing student behavior. It allows for clear expectations, consistent rewards for positive behavior, and constructive interventions when things go off track.
This kind of structure not only helps in maintaining order but also fosters a supportive environment where students feel understood and valued.
Moreover, SchoolMint Hero integrates seamlessly with other school systems, making it easier to track student behavior, communicate with parents, and implement school-wide initiatives.
This collaborative approach ensures that everyone involved in the student’s education is on the same page, which is crucial for maintaining consistency.
The Lesson Learned
My first year of teaching taught me that effective K-12 classroom management is about more than just knowing your content and pedagogy. It’s about creating a consistent, supportive environment where all students can succeed.
While I eventually found a better balance, I can’t help but wonder how much smoother that first year could have been with a tool like SchoolMint Hero.
For new teachers stepping into the classroom for the first time, having such a resource could make all the difference in creating a positive, productive learning environment from day one — and perhaps keep them in that environment for a long time to come.
Ready to transform student behavior and attendance at your school?
SchoolMint Hero is a customizable classroom management and attendance tracking software that can help you:
- Improve school climate and culture
- Improve student learning through more effective instruction time
- Reduce student tardiness and chronic absenteeism
- Implement consistent behavior management and your desired framework: PBIS, MTSS, RTI, restorative justice, and more
