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Kevin Mathews-Garza Philosophy Statement (pre, mid, post)

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Kevin Mathews-Garza Philosophy Statement (pre, mid, post)

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How would you define classroom management?

I would define my classroom management as being inclusive, open and respectful of all groups of students.   I will always take the extra step in order for my students to have a fair and equal learning opportunities.

What does classroom community mean to you?

Building a diverse group of the community that reflects different identifies in the community that promotes community engagement and advocacy.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

Helping students that are on the fringes. Students that have had consistent trouble with school concern me because I want to be the teacher who helps them turn it around.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

There is nothing wrong with children instead there are circumstances that changes the children. Not what's wrong but what happened?

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How would you define classroom management?
- I would define classroom management as the productivity within the classroom. Is the teacher getting through the lesson plan accordingly, but still engaging students throughout the class.

What does classroom community mean to you?
- Classroom community to me means an inclusive and safe environment for everyone. A place where everyone is able to be themselves, to feel heard and valued. I also believe the teacher has a major impact in creating that type of classroom community.

What areas of classroom management concern you?
- An area of classroom management that concerns me is when time for teaching to the whole class gets interrupted by disruptive students. Because these students are acting out, they are taking quality learning time away from the rest of their classmates because the teacher has to pause on the lesson to discipline these disruptive kids. My question would be , “What would be the best way to approach a situation like that?”

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
- I think the most important part to consider when teaching adolescents is that they are all dealing with something, whether it be their home life, friends or personal issues. By understanding each kid from the teacher’s perspective is a great way to be able to get the most out of these adolescents. Another important part to consider when teaching adolescents would be understanding that each kid learns differently and what may seem easy to the teacher can be very hard for the student to understand. So the teacher should be able to present the material in different ways to help adolescents better understand the material.

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How would you define classroom management?

Classroom management stems from creating a trusting relationship with your students. This would allow you to collaborate and create a set of expectations for classroom behavior.

What does classroom community mean to you?

Classroom community is being able to establish a safe learning environment for all students. Students will find ways to encourage each other, provide support where needed, be able to have fun with each other, and understand the content together.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

My biggest concern in the virtual classroom is engagement. It has proven to be a very delicate balance of encouraging students to have their cameras on and display engagement while allowing them the right to choose if they feel safe in the space to do so. In person, I worry about making authentic connections with students and showing that I am truly there to help in any way possible and understand each of their stories.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that they’re going through so many different developmental stages at once. Their entire world is changing, they are in this “in between” as they transition from elementary to high school, not always sure where their place is. Patience and understanding is really key to success.

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1. How would you define classroom management?

I define classroom management as setting goals and expectations for my students that create a safe environment for learning and collaboration. It involved strategies that are tailored to the group of students that you are teaching and encourage students to share ideas and work together. Managing a classroom can be more in-depth in one classroom than another; however, it has a foundation on mutual respect and willingness to collaborate.

2. What does classroom community mean to you?

A classroom community means having an environment that facilitates collaboration. Collaboration is very important in the field of science and in the classroom. A classroom should be an environment where students feel respected, valued, and empowered.

3. What areas of classroom management concern you?

I really do not like punishment. I think that punishing students is not seeing students as people. The view that students can be “problem children” is not the way to go. I think that what will concern me in the future is management when students are not doing their work or aren’t putting effort into their work. I am not sure how I am going to incentivize students.

4. What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

I think that it is important to remember that adolescents are people too, they are going through major life events along with having a full-time job (school). Also, they are trying to have a work life balance and they have to juggle some times 6 different classes at once.

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In the loosest terms, classroom management is the act of managing students' behaviors within a classroom. Of course, this can be broken down into micro-topics such as culturally-responsive management, community, or UDL techniques. A classroom community is how students interact with each other, the teacher, classroom volunteers, and visitors. As the classroom community develops, I would hope that the students would take what they have learned and apply it to other communities that they are a part of. As a teacher, it is important to foster a kind and safe community; therefore, student relationships should only be interfered with if actions become unsafe for your students. Otherwise, I need to be aware of why my students may be acting the way that they are. Some things that I may think of as behavioral problems (initially) may have a very simple explanation that would require a different tactic to help with. The most important thing to consider when teaching adolescents is that they are people with complicated lives and they want their teachers to care about them.

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How would you define classroom management?
I would define classroom management as the class structure and behavioral expectations that are established by the teacher (and also maybe by the students) that are upheld by the teacher.
What does classroom community mean to you?
A classroom community, to me, is the safe, open environment that the teacher facilitates in their classroom where the students can openly explore and express themselves and have healthy interactions with their peers. An important element is peer interaction through group work and collaboration. To me it also means students are not only comfortable in the classroom space, but that they willingly support their classmates as well. A good classroom community also means that classroom management can ideally become a less active process as students grow together and self-regulate.
What areas of classroom management concern you?
My biggest area of concern is follow through. I think communicating and establishing expectations and boundaries is the easier part, but the harder part for me (especially as a new teacher) will be to follow through and ensure there are appropriate consequences, with the even more difficult part being doing that while avoiding unfair or frustrating situations for the students that could alienate them. I also worry about micro-managing and being too controlling; one area I would like to grow in is being comfortable with a certain level of chaos as long as productive things are happening.
What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
The most important thing in my opinion for students of any age, but particularly adolescents due to them being at a vulnerable stage of development, is to give them agency. They need to have a voice in their classroom environment. It is also important to keep in mind and openly acknowledge students are coming from a vast variety of lived experiences, so everyone will have a different perspective and assumptions (in terms of behavioral expectations, 'common sense knowledge,' etc.) should be avoided.

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1. How would you define classroom management?

1. Classroom management involves your ability to be able to monitor and mediate your students actions.

2. What does “classroom community” mean to you?

1. A classroom community is something that you as the teacher have to cultivate yourself. A classroom community is where your students feel that they are safe. If you have a community in your classroom, your students will be more willing to learn.

3. What areas of classroom management concern you?

1. I am worried about what to do with students who are really just trying to start a fight. I am also worried about what to do when a student starts calling you names and getting physical (with either you or another student).

4. What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

1. They are not fully developed. You need to give students more grace and patience than anyone else. Also, you never know what they might be dealing with outside of school. Chances are that if they are acting out in class, it’s not about you.

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Please pardon my cat meowing in the background.

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How would you define classroom management?
I would define classroom management as the system/routine that is set up by the teacher to ensure that the classroom environment is a positive one. This includes established preventive measures for disruptive behavior, as well as creating a space where students feel safe to participate and take ownership of their learning.

What does classroom community mean to you?
Classroom community is similar to any other community, when students feel like they are represented in classroom and their voices are heard they will be more likely to participate. Classroom community is something that needs to be built at the beginning of the school year and reinforced throughout the year. A classroom with a poor sense of community could be likely to have less honest, respectful discussion and students may be less willing to take risks if they do not feel like they will be supported by their peers and the teacher.

What areas of classroom management concern you?
I am worried about being able to create a space where students can be vulnerable and authentic in the artwork that they make, as well as being held accountable to the assignments that are given to them. I am worried about finding that balance where students feel supported and validated while still pushing them to grow outside of their comfort zone.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
I think that it is important to remember that adolescents are at an emotionally turbulent age, where they are beginning to deal with more adult responsibilities and consequences, yet are still mostly viewed and treated like children. I think it is crucial to remember that, at times, their hormones and emotions are going to get the better of them and they will make mistakes and act like idiots. Just because a student is acting like they don't care doesn't mean that they are a lost cause.

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How would you define classroom management?

When I think of classroom management I think of both how the classroom is set up (the environment), as well as how it is run — what the protocols are for daily activities, conversations, etc. It is important to create a safe, inclusive, and helpful classroom environment for students to feel welcome. As for how we might manage the classroom, it’s important that there are community agreements, guidelines, clear instructions, etc. so that students can feel a sense of consistency, structure, and routine. That can also help with their sense of safety in the classroom.

What does classroom community mean to you?

A classroom community is a group of people that feel welcomed and safe, and that learn from one another, respecting the values and experiences of their community. Fostering a community in the classroom is probably what I consider my most important task as a teacher.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

It can be a very challenging thing to get students to participate. My biggest classroom management concern is figuring out how to motivate students to participate without using tactics like cold-calling, which often induce anxiety and fear.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

Everything. I think it’s important to remember that while adolescents may not be “fully developed” they can still, and often do, form developed thoughts, ideas, values, and contributions. Our students are human beings, and are capable of a lot. I think it’s important to take on the role of their equal, and not attach any superiority complexes.

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Pre-Statement                                How would you define classroom management?

Classroom management consists of many tools and techniques that can be broken into different categories i.e. methods, strategies, and scaffolding techniques. Classroom management depends on strong organizational skills, similar to ones used by Managers. Adaption lessons to be more/less engaging and having tools to use when lessons go off track and how to bring students back as a whole is very important. Building Equity, respect, and having a common ground for how others are treating in/outside the classroom needs to addressed in the “Course/Class Agreements.”

What does the classroom community mean to you?

Connection and reflection are important in a classroom community. Connections between students, student to student, student to teacher, and vice versa. It is Portland to have time for students to reflect on their work (both inside/outside) of the classroom. It can be challenging for students to reflect on work while in class, which is why it is important to have some time for reflection while in class. Being online, sometimes the content, and get ahead because of the amount of information and it is important to go at a steady pace to provide equity for all learners.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

Understanding of group direct within an online classroom vs in-person classroom. Ensuring that information from students and teachers is school appropriate. Sometimes this line can be crossed and it is important to address things that occur, even if it is after the fact. Humanizing oneself can important for students to understand that teachers make mistakes too and are not always “perfect.”

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

Boundaries, level of honesty, age + maturity level in which your teaching students (content). Understanding the student’s point of view and how the information is coming across. Cultural, religious, and political views of students. It is very important to understand where students are coming from and reading body language, especially while online. Also in homework assignments, it is important to be though when grading/view because these may be underlying issues (abuse, family issues, lack of food, safe home environment, behavior health/suicide)

re-Statement:

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How would you define classroom management?
Classroom management is centered around maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment. It is important to manage this type of learning environment in a classroom to ensure that students feel safe, respected and included in each lesson. The expectations for student conduct align with these classroom goals and when students damage the learning environment they will be required to recognize their impact and will be held accountable through restorative justice practices to rectify their relationship within the classroom.

What does classroom community mean to you?
Classroom community is an inclusive learning environment. This means that each student has the opportunity to see themselves as equally valued and respected. Stronger classroom communities can be created by incorporating higher levels of student voice because this increases engagement ant the capacity for lessons to reflect student identity.

What areas of classroom management concern you?
Certain students enjoy testing behavioral boundaries more so than others. Most of the time, these students can be highly motivated on certain assignments and very unmotivated on others. Helping these students self-regulate during the times when they naturally feel like being a distraction to themselves or other students is an area of concern. Another related concern is making sure that my classroom management style is consistent over time and uniformly applied from student to student in a way that is both fair and equitable.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
It is important to consider that adolescent brains are still in development and adolescent learners are capable of incredible knowledge acquisition. That being said, teenagers are also prone to impulsive behaviors and intense emotions. The opportunity to influence young minds at such a crucial stage of development is a privilege because what adolescents learn in high school can substantially improve their ability to become productive, independent and collaborative adults.

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How would you define classroom management?
I define my classroom management as an overarching effort to preserve positive, productive, and enriching space for students through preventative and reactive means. Classroom management can be assessed in the culture of the classroom, policies, materials, student relationships, and day to day tasks. Classroom management includes preventive elements and adaptive elements to maintain classroom standards.

What does classroom community mean to you?
I believe that classroom community is related to school connectedness for students. Classroom community recognizes that your actions impact others and that students and teachers share a collective space/resources. Social community recognizes that students and teachers are participating in the cultural and social structures of the classroom. Classroom community can greatly contribute to a positive, constructive, enriching academic experience, or it can lead to destructive and poor experiences in schools. Teachers can use tools to use students' assets to help facilitate a self regulating classroom management.

What areas of classroom management concern you?
As a teacher, I am concerned with the fine line between building student relationships or allowing student agency in a classroom, and not reinforcing standards in the school community. I am concerned that I will try to recognize student identity, external problems, and the individual student and subconsciously see that student as not responsible for their actions. I am not sure how to balance these individual needs without disrupting the education of the other students in the classroom.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
It is important to recognize that students are individuals with intersectional identities that change over time. Not every student has the same barriers for learning or the same needs to overcome the same barriers. Students also may have less support at home or at previous schools, so there may be some skill gaps for them. Examples include self-regulating behavior, fine motor skills, organizational skills, and social skills. Another important piece to consider is to separate students behavior from student identity. The student may not be a bad kid, but a kid that has made mistakes. It is not that you do not like the student; It is that you do not like the students behavior.

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How would you define classroom management?

I would define classroom management as system of mutual understanding and responsibility that is primarily implemented and maintained by the instructor. When a classroom is successfully managed, it becomes an environment that promotes growth, mitigates harm, and provides an equal opportunity for learning. The teacher is responsible for managing class time and student’s behavior so that is productive and safe space for all. In regard to behavior modifications, I think less of disciplinary actions and more about patience, understanding, and the critical consideration of how a teacher can protect their students’ physical, emotional, and cultural needs.

What does classroom community mean to you?

A classroom community is a group individuals that respect and value each other while working towards a common goal. The community operates in- and beyond the physical confines of school and consists of students, parents, and teachers. Most importantly, the classroom community is a place that is safe, inclusive, and supportive.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

The aspect that concerns me about classroom management is knowing the appropriate response to a student when they are having a tough time. I want to learn more techniques to diffuse tense situations and preserve relationships because I don’t want to be a teacher who defaults to sending kids to the office.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

I think it’s important to consider that adolescents are humans that exist outside of the classroom. They have individual needs, interests, and challenging situations that they don’t always inform the teacher about. I also think it is important to consider that you were once a developing adolescent who (probably) made some questionable decisions while in school. Consider the effect you can have on a student’s relationship with school by treating outbursts with grace and compassion, instead of taking disciplinary action.

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1. How would you define classroom management?
I define classroom management as the methods and approaches that a teacher takes to keeping order in the classroom and making sure that things stay on track so all of the students can learn what they need to learn.
2. What does classroom community mean to you?
Classroom community is the environment of the classroom. If it's a welcoming place where every person feels valued and accepted and also encompasses the interpersonal relationships between the students and the teacher.
3. What areas of classroom management concern you?
The areas I'm most concerned with in classroom management is dealing with outwardly disrespectful students who openly insult other students and myself. I don't want to overreact in a negative way and simply punish those students, I want to try to use restorative practices but I want to make sure I keep a cool head under that pressure.
4. What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
Their brains aren't fully developed so they may make decisions or say things that logically don't make sense. They also have a lot going on in their lives so outbursts may just be releases of frustrations they have and not personal so it's important to not take things personally.

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1.) How would you define classroom management?          I would define classroom management as anything done on behalf of the teacher, and even the students, to maintain a productive learning environment for the students. I think a lot of people think of punishments and rules, but I think of culture and relationships.                       2.)What does classroom community mean to you?    To me classroom community is  a feeling of togetherness and teamwork from teacher to student as well as student to student. I think classroom community is one of the most important things a teacher can focus on because students are more likely to attend and enjoy a class where they feel a part of a community, as community is a basic human need.          3.) What areas of classroom management concern you?  I definitely worry about having enough patience all the time. I am generally very patient, but I know working with high-schoolers can be very challenging, and I fear I might lose my patience from time to time.                                      3.)What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?  That adolescents are adults with real lives and real experiences that are very important and relevant to them. Teachers often see adolescents relationships and problems as frivolous, but they are not. They are valid and real.

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1.) How would you define classroom management?          I would define classroom management as anything done on behalf of the teacher, and even the students, to maintain a productive learning environment for the students. I think a lot of people think of punishments and rules, but I think of culture and relationships.                       2.)What does classroom community mean to you?    To me classroom community is  a feeling of togetherness and teamwork from teacher to student as well as student to student. I think classroom community is one of the most important things a teacher can focus on because students are more likely to attend and enjoy a class where they feel a part of a community, as community is a basic human need.          3.) What areas of classroom management concern you?  I definitely worry about having enough patience all the time. I am generally very patient, but I know working with high-schoolers can be very challenging, and I fear I might lose my patience from time to time.                                      3.)What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?  That adolescents are adults with real lives and real experiences that are very important and relevant to them. Teachers often see adolescents relationships and problems as frivolous, but they are not. They are valid and real.

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How would you define classroom management?

A teacher who conducts exemplary classroom management has the capacity to facilitate student growth, inspire engagement, and respond in a harm-reducing and forgiving manner in response to challenging moments or crises in the classroom in instances such as outbursts, hate-speech or bullying among students, and student resistance to instruction. Maintaining an effectively managed classroom means that you have earned your student’s respect, not as a strict authority figure, but as a co-learner, friend, and advocate for your student’s well-being and equality. This may mean admitting your mistakes and oversights, apologizing for lack of composure, and especially for acknowledging instances of cultural insensitivity or perpetuation of dominant narratives. Classroom management means giving your students a voice. After all, their learning comes first and allowing them to make decisions about how they can own their own learning in the classroom is very important for inspiring engagement. As teachers we are problem solvers, but more importantly critical thinkers who foresee difficult moments and strive to create a classroom culture in which potential problems do not arise in the first place.

What does classroom community mean to you?

Classroom community is much like any community, it includes the beliefs and cultural backgrounds of individuals within it, and each member brings their own unique life experiences and personalities to the classroom to form relationships with their peers and teacher. In classrooms with a great community, students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, grappling with challenging material, and socializing with their classmates in a constructive and collaborative manner. In the absence of a good classroom community, students can feel isolated, discouraged and unmotivated to participate, they feel unrecognized by their teacher, and simply do not look forward to that particular class. A harmonious classroom community is built on trust, students feel safe in the classroom, and feel comfortable being their true selves.

What areas of classroom management concern you?

One area of classroom management that concerns me is learning how to approach students who have a resistance to learning, participating, and trying. In an art classroom, many students will figure that the class will be an easy A for them, but this is not the case if they do not give any effort. Some students have a proclivity for creating art, but many students tell themselves that they are not good at art and never will be, and that any effort they put forth will not be worthwhile, because they feel they do not possess any talent in the subject. Making art exciting and unintimidating will have to be something I continuously work on, and developing a curriculum that makes every student believe that they can actually learn how to become better artists will be a challenge. I want to create a classroom that lowers students barriers and understand that art takes practice and that anyone can become a proficient artist if they believe in their artistic decisions, regardless of if they think they have a natural talent for the subject or not. Art is a subject where students can surprise themselves and discover that they can create stunning and expressive artwork, but many students do not believe that they can because the opportunity to create it has never been revealed to them. My goal is to give them the confidence and foundation in which they can achieve this.

What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?

Understanding that adolescents face daily challenges in their personal and home life is very important to consider. As a teacher we may not know what obstacles a particular student has encountered on a given day. I know that when I was in highschool and was experiencing some sort of emotional distress that I was much less likely to “care” about what my teachers were trying to excite me about. Allowing students a bit of tolerance when they are experiencing difficult times emotionally, can be helpful for them. Their personal lives are very impactful on their dispositions and eagerness to learn. Their problems are very real to them and we do not want them to think that we as teachers think that what they are facing is unimportant. That only harbors a disconnect between student-teacher relationships. It is important to consider our students feelings.

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1. How would you define classroom management?
classroom management is maintaining an environment conducive to learning. To me, this means setting expectations, consistent enforcement of those expectations, and incentivizing adherence.
What does classroom community mean to you?
classroom community is a sense of togetherness within a classroom. It doesn't have to be a utopia where everyone is each others best friend, but rather an awareness that everyone is sharing a space in which they want to feel comfortable, meaningful, and contribute. I think this can help create equal opportunity by encouraging empathy and unselfishness while promoting and rewarding individual contribution.
What areas of classroom management concern you?
what concerns me most are the variables that are out of the teacher's control. Some student's exhibit difficult, antisocial behaviors that disrupt the classroom and make management difficult. What concerns me about this is that they may need help outside of what I can provide for them and that a lapse of judgement in my part in dealing with a student might be triggering for them.
What is important to consider when teaching adolescents?
patience is the most important thing to me. I try to remind myself that adolescents are in the process of learning how to learn and be in a community setting. They are not children, so there are expectations, but they aren't adults so they may not understand why they need to do certain things. Also, students are all at different points in their development and experience adolescence in a myriad of ways. I think it is important to be sensitive and aware of their differences.

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1. Classroom management is about being a leader to guide students through their learning effectively. I don’t see its end goal as being an authority figure, but rather being a facilitator of knowledge and best practices for students. I see learning as a collaborative endeavor between both students and teachers, where both parties are mutually accountable for success in the classroom.

2. Classroom community is an essential aspect of creating an inclusive, supportive learning environment for all students. By nurturing a culture of respect and support, teachers can help provide students with better opportunities to succeed. Community extends beyond just students and teachers, but also includes family members, friends, administrators, school staff, and many others, who all contribute to allowing students to feel safe and supported in the classroom.

3. Being seen as an authority figure by students concerns me. I realize it’s a balancing act teachers must play between being seen as a mentor and a disciplinarian. I’d like to find ways to respond to students who act out in more empathetic ways, rather than going straight to disciplinary action.

4. One thing that always stuck out for me in high school were the teachers who treated us as mature individuals. This often meant added responsibility and greater expectations, which I was happy to prove I could handle. It’s important for us to acknowledge adolescent learners are capable of more than we give them credit for and push them to challenge themselves.

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- Classroom management is how an educator uses tools to create a space that allows student to engage and learn.
- Community means that people within a certain space work towards a common goal, look out for each  others' best interest, are invested in the betterment of the other community members, and offer support in any and all situations.
- I am concerned about a few things . . .
One: Being able to learn (if possible) to manage an online classroom.
Two: Not having the opportunity to practice classroom management in a physical setting.
Three: Becoming too much of a friend to my students where I end up not having authority.
- When teaching adolescents, it is important to consider their interests, life experiences, and their view of the world in general. It's also important to remember that they are people with real lives and aren't just kids. It is also important to consider their stages of brain development and the perspective that can give. Also, you have to consider that all of them have gone through things that you haven't and that all people are individuals with individual needs and perspectives.

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-Classroom management is the ability to create a learning environment that facilitates a productive and safe space for learning.
-To me community means that there is trust, connection, and a feeling of safety amongst you and those around you. In community, there is a sense of support and respect.
What areas of classroom management concern you?
-An area of concern is motivating and encouraging students to lean in, who do not show any care or interest in the topic. I can tell myself, "I can't save them all", but how will I know/feel that I have done enough.
-When working with adolescents I think it is important to meet them where they are at and not to always expect them to meet you, the teacher, where you're at. Their lived experiences as adolescents, and humans in general, differ from my own. Valuing the adolescence and giving them a sense of agency is important.