Classroom Culture : The Short Series - Introduction

​Hi and welcome to Classroom Culture : the Short series. Today I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to you and tell you about my experience and where I got these ideas from. 
 
I have been a teacher for 8 years. I’ve taught children in young 5s, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and fourth grade. However, I’ve spent the most time teaching children in young 5s and fourth grade. I also have my masters in early childhood.
 
This idea of creating a web series on classroom culture has been running in my mind for 5 years. I’ve pondered how best to do this series but finally decided to just go for it….and share my experiences and growth as an educator. In hopes that it will help someone else.
 
First and fore more, I must say, I believe in developing a classroom culture that is learner centered. Where the focus is on both students and teacher.
 
This whole journey started for me when I was student teaching. I had a class of 29 second graders and I struggled at first with “classroom management.”
 
From there, I worked with kindergarteners and eventually moved into Development Kindergarten which is a fancy way of saying young 5s. In my young 5s class, it was me and 19 - 4 almost 5 year olds. Creating a classroom culture and managing a room of littles became my full time job. Without a culture, I was an ineffective teacher.  
 
So quickly, I learned what worked. I was constantly learning, adjusting, and reflecting on my practices. 
 
I have read and continue to read many books on classroom culture…or books that I feel will help me to learn more about classroom culture.
 
A few of my favorites the leader in me, love and logic, the morning meeting book, power struggles, lost at school, challenging behavior in young children, 1-2-3 magic. Conscious discipline is one of my ULTILMATE favorites. I highly recommend that. 
 
I also really like creating cultures of thinking. And for my first year teachers, the first days of school. It’s a great starter book.
 
One that I’m currently reading is Implementing Restorative Practice in Schools: A Practical Guide to Transforming School Communities.
 
So what is this web series going to hold? 
 
Well today, was an intro into who I am and what I do.
 
Coming up, I have episodes on relationships, the “flow,” labeling, spaces, language, management systems?, leadership, time….. and more. If you have something you’d like to see, comment below! I’d love to hear from you.