Classroom Environment

2022-2023 - my final reflection

Reflecting on my growth in creating inclusive learning environments over the past four years in the Bachelor of Education program at Mount Royal University, it's clear that I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of inclusivity and diversity in education.

Throughout the program, I have consistently committed to fostering equality and respect within the classroom and the school community. I have consistently utilized universal and targeted strategies to address students' strengths, challenges, and growth areas, focusing on meeting the needs of individual learners. Furthermore, I have consistently communicated a philosophy of education that values the potential of every student to learn and succeed.

Over the years, I have also shown an increasing awareness of my students' emotional and mental health needs, and I'm committed to facilitating appropriate interventions to support their well-being. I have acknowledged the specific learning needs of individual or small groups of students and have collaborated with service providers and other specialists to design and provide targeted and specialized support to achieve the learning outcomes.

I have employed classroom management strategies that create positive, engaging learning environments while incorporating students' personal and cultural strengths into teaching and learning. Lastly, I have provided opportunities for student leadership to empower students and give them a sense of agency within the classroom and the broader school community. Overall, my experience in the Bachelor of Education program has prepared me to create inclusive learning environments that embrace diversity and meet the needs of all learners.

Fall 2021

Goals Before Practicum:

Because I am in a new environment with recently met faculty and students, I plan on promoting a "classroom environment that is physically, socially, culturally and psychologically secure" (TQS 2c, 4a, 4c, 4d, 4g, 5b). This means that as a goal, I plan on getting to know each and every one of my students in order to build comfortable relationships, giving them the opportunity to discuss with me anything.

Growth After Practicum:

This practicum showed me just how many things each student goes through in their personal lives. This semester, students approached me with personal issues more times than I can count. I learned how to give students a safe, confidential, and comfortable classroom environment in which they can share anything with me free of judgment and worry.

Goals For Future Practicums:

This semester I worked with a student who had just been diagnosed with autism. I learned how to bring this student down when things got to be overwhelming, and what their certain triggers were. Next year I would like to add a quiet sensory space in my classroom where students can go if they are feeling overwhelmed or just need a break from peers and learning.

A positive learning environment that stood out to me this semester. I love the seating arrangement and how easily accessible everything is.

Source: From Weinstein, C.S., & Mignano, A.J. (2007). Elementary Classroom Management (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies. Adapted with permission of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Winter 2020

Growth:

In EDUC 2321 I completed a classroom management assignment This assignment allowed me to better understand how I as an educator can “create and manage effective classroom routines and procedures to ensure positive student behavior” (IE3). The assignment also gave me insight into how important it is to “[plan] a classroom environment that is physically, socially, culturally, and psychologically secure” (IE2).

Goals:

My goal for next semester is to further solidify my knowledge of effective and inclusive classroom environments. In order to complete my goal, I plan to observe my mentor teacher similar to how I observed the teacher in the video that I was assigned for my classroom management assignment. As an educator, this goal is vital so that I am able to house my students in an environment that allows for creativity, comfortability, kindness, learning, and safety.

One of my favourite resources from the semester. This article from Frank Serafini taught me a lot about being an educator

Fall 2020

Growth:

Although I was unable to be in a classroom this semester because of the COVID-19 virus, I was still able to expand my knowledge about the components of an efficacious classroom environment. The one resource that stood out to me this semester was an article by Frank Serafini entitled Creating Space for Children's Literature. I learned how important it is for students who are learning to read to have access to an extensive classroom library. To ensure accessibility, a beginning reader should not have to travel far to access reading materials. A classroom environment must also have an educator who shows a deep passion for reading. Not only this, but students should be able to discuss what they have read with other students who are also learning to read. Students that have access to a classroom that is comfortable and full of conversation will have an easier time becoming passionate and excited about literature. These are all aspects that I have learned about this semester and I plan on created a classroom environment based on these needs.

Goals:

My goal is to continue purchasing a wide array of children's books so that I will have a diverse library to offer my future students. Through creating a reading log, I have learned a lot about what makes up a great children's book. I plan on purchasing the books that stood out to me, as well some of the books that my mentor teacher raves about.

A piece of artwork by Nep Sidhu. Available for viewing at the Esker Foundation in Inglewood, Calgary.

Winter 2019

Growth:

This semester I learned the importance of respecting and promoting diversity in the classroom. The school that I was placed in for my field experience has a very diverse student body. The school has students from a very wide range of financial backgrounds. Some students live with only their mother, while other live with their father, or both. I was able to witness first-hand how these various backgrounds affected the way a student acted in the classroom. In order to house this diversity, my mentor teacher taught an array of lessons that reminded students that everybody deserves fair treatment and equality. I also took some time this semester to attend an art gallery. The gallery had an exhibition put on by a Sikh artist. The art portrayed the various cultural diversions that immigrants may face when they move to Canada. This enlightened me to create as safe of a classroom as possible.

Goals:

My goal for the following years of my degree is to become more knowledgeable about diversity. I would love to learn how to make every student feel welcome and wanted in the classroom, regardless of their background. I will know this goal is achieved when I am able to see students who are shy and avoidant become more outgoing and social. To do so, I must add the teaching of acceptance and inclusion to my pedagogy.

Page updated

Report abuse