Classroom Management Profile

Classroom Environment:

My Model:

In the high-tech industry, I've managed all types of skills (engineers, scientist, marketeers, salespeople, finance and operations personnel, etc.). At times, it could extremely overwhelming, but over the years, through many trial and errors, I've learned what really works well and what doesn't. Bad leaders can quite often misfire by putting in ‘what worked where they were before’ and/or consistently saying that ‘they’re on-track’ because of reasons they may not even know, but it’ll be enough to get through another all-hands, earnings call, etc, that has his organization 'believing' all is ok, when it really isn't. Perhaps this may have worked at the previous company, within the organization of their responsibility, or have non-serious shareholders that don’t care. But, usually, if this is the case, it’s just lots of talk that will show very little progressive results. And yes, it’ll remain this way unless there is data backing up their statements, which is more of what people should ask for. Net, chaos in the company will be inevitable because the employees rapidly lose confidence in the leadership when their policies and procedures fail.

In the industry, it should be very clear if a company is doing well or not, if you just ask some of these very basic questions:

1. Can you describe our product line/technology in some detail?
2. Do you know the corporate mission and vision?
3. What’s our company culture?
4. Do you understand our strategic direction (ie products, markets, customers, competitors, etc.)?
5. Do you understand the business model (ie go-to-market (GTM), pricing & gross margin strategy, sales model & hierarchy, etc.)?
6. Does our operational model work correctly with the type of product line we have?
7. What type of support do we give and does it add to our revenue?
8. What’s our level of customer satisfaction?
9. Does the management team work well together and is the chemistry there?

If any one of these questions is a ‘no’ or can’t be answered, then there are distinct fundamental breakdowns that will prevent growth. How are these issues addressed to make things flow together the right way, producing outstanding results? EVERYONE, from the leadership to the employees is responsible for a well-run organization. However, the leader of the organization needs to clearly articulate the overall 'plan' of the organization. What is the mission, strategic direction to accomplish the mission, how to execute the strategic direction, breakdown the personnel to show how they'll execute (who is working on what, etc.), what the results need to be, how everyday will be managed so everyone is aware of the daily state of things (ie are we hitting the schedule?), end-game (what finishing the project means). Net, the entire organization is fully engaged, they know what is expected and what the goals are, they know the time-frames to keep focused on without confusion, and all the groups within the organization are well-adverse with each other, working together as 'one' team. The department, company, etc. (groups of all sizes), are always well structured and organized, fully aware of what to do everyday to meet their goals to be successful.

My classroom management style will be similar. While a teaching a classroom is not exactly the same thing as an industry organization, there are many similarities that need to be implemented to have a really good, well-managed, fully-productive and a results-oriented classroom environment in order to learn and be successful.

Just as in the real-world, view the class as employees of an organization. To have a an extremely well-managed classroom:

• Students need to be deeply engaged in their work, especially, with academic, teacher-led instructions.
• Students need to know what is expected of them and it's my goal that they are all generally successful.
• There will be relatively little wasted time, confusion, and disruption.
• The atmosphere of the classroom will be work-oriented, but relaxed and pleasant.

In my classroom, there will always be a positive learning environment. My educational and industry-experience philosophy relies heavily upon very creative, open-minded exploration; as such, I want all my students to have the independent freedom to create and reflect upon their work and their selves. I want them to be 'thinkers' vs just 'doers'. Such an open atmosphere requires strong organization in order for quality learning to occur.

What to Expect:

Everyday I'll have the students on task and working cooperatively to achieve what needs to be done for that day. I'll have clear learning objectives of every assignment that they'll know even prior to the day, posting them on my website. My classes will start right on-time every day with their daily assignments posted. They'll know that all the tests will be based on these learning objectives so every day is critical not to waste any time. My procedures and routines that each student needs to abide by will be very clear as they will be in place day one and I'll be teaching students about these procedures until they have them well-down. Sometimes, I have them rehearsed by the students, so the procedures and routines become automatic to them. So, all my classes will be very organized, work-oriented but will have a relaxed, open-minded, and fun atmosphere. We'll learn and accomplish so much in the time we have, and students will be well engaged and always encouraged for all their great achievements. I'm big on praising the students, as I know from the industry that personnel gratification can more rewarding than even financial growth, at times.

Room Arrangement:

Getting to know each student is very important to me. The easiest way for me is alphabetically because this way I'll know the last names pretty fast and can put the first name with it immediately. Typically, I'll put my tables in groups, as my STEM courses will all be group-oriented. So, depending on the class size, I'll have the tables facing the white board, horizontally, with 4-5 in a group. From the entry door, left to right, I'll start the groups with the last name A, until will fill the last table, with the later alphabetic numbers last names (Z). As needed, we'll change seats for those students that need to be situationally located based on several reasons (disabilities, conduct, etc.). This arrangement works very well for me as I'm identifying students from the first day.

Classroom Rules, Procedures, Consequences and Display:

While I enjoy on open-minded and relaxed atmosphere in my classroom, there are rules and procedures that the students need to abide by. Rules allow my students to know that not only do limits exist, but it also allows them to know exactly what these limits are. My rules are result of my industry experience and common-sense classroom behavior patterns that are acceptable and those that are not. I try to keep the language in my rules simplistic so they are clear and easy for the students to understand.

Classrooms rules are prominently displayed on a large poster-board on the bulletin board at the front of the classroom. Next to the rules are the consequences. Should a student break a rule s/he is issued a warning in the form of his/her name on the board. Should the student break another of the same rule s/he will receive a check next to his/her name. One check means the student must fill out the 'conduct refection' form, two checks means the student must fill out the 'conduct reflection' form and then will have his/her parents be called, and three checks means of the above-mentioned occur along with personal detention.

There are always extenuating circumstances and/or behaviors that require immediate attention from the school administrators; it is at my discretion to identify such circumstances and/or behaviors. Behaviors that require immediate administrative attention are, but not limited to; physical, verbal and bullying assaults, for which I have zero tolerance for. In addition, there will be severe consequences if using dangerous language or physical use (ie guns, bombs, threats, etc.) against me and or any of the students.

Classroom Procedures:

Consistency is something I find integral to good classroom management. When students know what is expected of them daily, their actions and behaviors reflect this in a positive manner. While my projects and presentations change frequently, the essential procedural workings of my classroom do not. Overall, this makes my class very effective and an orderly place. Net, students know what is expected of them and how to succeed. Extensive research confirms that most students will make better achievement gains in a well-managed classroom. My classroom will always be extremely well-managed, produced the ultimate learning experience for every one of my students.