# data[].attributes.body
In Chapter 4 of the Kellough & Kellough reading, there is a quote taken from Hoffman & Levak that states, "Knowing your students is at least as important as knowing subject matter content" (111). Pulling from this stance, the most effective kind of teaching is one that is uniquely fitted to the students it serves.

I want to get to know the students I am working with; by knowing their interests, anxieties, and goals, I can better structure the year.

# data[].attributes.body
First and foremost, I want to establish a set of basic guidelines and rules for classroom behavior. That way, students will know what I expect from them and will know what to expect from me. These will include...

Being respectful. No bullying of any kind will be tolerated in the classroom environment. I want to establish a considerate environment where students remain respectful both to me and to their peers. Moreover, I want to prove that I in turn will respect my students.

Practices include directly calling students by their preferred names, requiring them to know the names of their classmates, getting to know the students as individuals, and letting them get to know me as a teacher.

Encouraging students to ask for help, promoting the idea that mistakes are a necessary step in the learning process. I want to students to be able to come to me for help as well as go to each other. Students should help each other when they can. I want to push the idea that the class is a team!

At the beginning of the year and as the weeks go on, I want to establish regular check ins to see how students are feeling about math and how they are feeling about the specific units and lessons.

Expecting students to be punctual and organized. Arrive to class on time, focus on the lesson and the task at hand, keep track of assignments and notes. If they have any issues regarding being on time or keeping up, they should speak to me.

Making the students understand that this classroom is a space for learning and for productivity. They should stay on task and limit any kind of unnecessary disruptions or distractions.

Offering clear ways for students and their families to contact me as well as times when I'm most likely to respond. Alongside this, I want to set aside times for students to come in and ask for help, whether it be during lunch or after school. Again, I just want to make myself available to students.

Make clear what the procedures and consequences are if a student does not follow classroom expectations.

In case of inappropriate behavior, having a specific plan of action will hopefully make things run more smoothly.

Work with the school's general procedure.

As stated in the Kellough & Kellough reading, addressing inappropriate behavior directly and immediately is very important.

As my own personal approach, I want to avoid the usual punishment route. I would rather focus more on why the behavior is happening and how we can work with the student to find a solution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Work with the students to create a space that they feel happy and excited about.

# data[].attributes.subject
Work with the students to create a space that they feel happy and excited about.

# data[].attributes.headline
Give the students chances to get to know me, in order to find common ground and begin to build a relationship. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Give the students chances to get to know me, in order to find common ground and begin to build a relationship. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Create a classroom that is friendly and warm; make it clear that math is not something to fear. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Create a classroom that is friendly and warm; make it clear that math is not something to fear. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Make myself available to both my students and their families; offer as much help as I can, both in and out of class.

# data[].attributes.subject
Make myself available to both my students and their families; offer as much help as I can, both in and out of class.

# data[].attributes.headline
Get to know who my students are; their backgrounds, families, interests, and anxieties. What do they think about math?

# data[].attributes.subject
Get to know who my students are; their backgrounds, families, interests, and anxieties. What do they think about math?

# data[].attributes.headline
Set clear list of expectations and rules for classroom behavior; distinguish was is and is not tolerated.

# data[].attributes.subject
Set clear list of expectations and rules for classroom behavior; distinguish was is and is not tolerated.

# data[].attributes.headline
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔?

# data[].attributes.subject
𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔?

# data[].attributes.body
True and effective learning can only happen when the students feel welcomed and appreciated in the classroom environment. Thus creating a space in which all students are safe, regardless of background, identity, or beliefs.

This applies to the teacher being kind and respectful but also requiring students to be kind and respectful to their classmates.

Confidence is really important a student's experience; the confidence to try and not be afraid to make mistakes can make learning all the more fruitful

# data[].attributes.body
Math may seem difficult and impossible at times, but all students have the ability to understand math.

Some students may understand quickly, others may take time; regardless, they all have the ability to do well. Again, this is where the idea of a growth mindset comes into play.

Math is something that is creative and artistic; it is not just plugging values into equations and impossible ideas. It is inherently human and has the chance to be fun if taught in the right way.

# data[].attributes.headline
Students cannot and should not be categorized.

# data[].attributes.subject
Students cannot and should not be categorized.

# data[].attributes.body
Students are not good or bad, smart or dumb; this mindset can be incredibly damaging to the student by setting them on a fixed path with no room for improvement or change. In other words, this perspective completely ignores the concept of a growth mindset as well as a growth environment.

There are always explanations and reasons behind the way students think and behave. It's important to view your students as complicated and detailed people, with strengths and weaknesses that can change and fluctuate.

Always encourage your students to try their best and believe in their abilities to do better.

# data[].attributes.headline
The teacher is not the only "teacher" in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.subject
The teacher is not the only "teacher" in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
I want to be open minded and humble with my students, know that I have as much to learn from them as they do from me.  Furthermore, students have plenty to learn from one another.

Teaching is a two way street; students come with their own knowledge and experiences that will affect how they approach the lesson. In other words, students are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge.

# data[].attributes.headline
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕

# data[].attributes.body
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔?

# data[].attributes.headline
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒂𝒏

# data[].attributes.body
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔?

# data[].attributes.body
When I say humor, I don’t mean being the teacher comedian nor do I mean laughing at students. Rather, just entering the classroom space with a relaxed and fun attitude can create a welcoming environment in which students feel at ease learning and making mistakes. Nothing has to be serious all the time; learning shouldn’t be anxiety inducing or embarrassing. It’s alright to make mistakes, it’s a part of life. What matters is what you do afterwards; learn from your mistakes, use them to guide you in the future, and also know when to laugh them off. Math is much more enjoyable when you can find the humor in it.
Now, it's important to mention that learning is not always easy, nor is it always fun. But it shouldn't have to be a scary or painful process. A good sense of humor can be defusing and gain the trust of the students.

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that kindness can only be effective when it is tempered with steadiness. It’s important to keep in mind that you are not there to be friends with your students; as a teacher, you play the role of a reliable and knowledgeable adult that is there to help and guide them as necessary. Setting clear expectations for your students is a piece in earning their respect, portraying yourself as sure and steady. Flexibility is important but I believe it’s equally important to remain tough in order to be a reliable and trusted guide, creating a classroom environment that is respectful and intent on learning.
Here I will reference the Kellough & Kellough reading that discusses the importance of stating classroom expectations; "Students work best when teacher expectations are well understood with established routines" (115).

# data[].attributes.body
Creating a classroom approach of compassion and understanding is important in the creation of a positive student-teacher relationships.

Often when I think of having compassion, I think of being understanding. This goes hand in hand with knowing who your students are; where they come from, their interests and anxieties, the obstacles they may face in and outside of school. Trying to see the world from the perspective of the young people you are teaching and recognize they might not have the same experiences and capabilities as you; and recognizing that that is okay. This can allow you to know when to be lenient, but also to know when to be firm.

# data[].attributes.body
I believe patience is incredibly valuable in a classroom and it can be utilized in various ways within the classroom.

In the situation where a student is struggling with a particular concept and cannot quite grasp an understanding of the material at hand, it’s important to remain calm and not be afraid to slow down and work with the student. First pinpoint which parts are the most confusing and then have the flexibility to adjust the lesson accordingly. Especially in mathematics, students can become easily frustrated or overwhelmed; the teacher plays an important role in maintaining a composed and patient attitude to ease the student’s anxiety and help them realize that the problem at hand is not as impossible as it seems.

From a non-academic perspective, given a situation in which a student is lashing out or behaving in a manner that clashes with classroom expectations and guidelines, it is important to keep patience at the forefront of the teacher's actions. Rising to a student with anger or frustration is often adding fuel to the fire and can have damaging consequences for the student. While it can be difficult to remain calm, it’s necessary to not take things personally. It is up to the teacher to handle a situation with patience and persistence.

# data[].attributes.body
Kindness is having the ability to speak with love, listen with patience, and act with compassion.

First and foremost, I hope to be a kind teacher. In this sense, I want to always approach every student and situation from a perspective of kindness and never with cruel or mean-spirited intentions. Teachers and students may have differing levels of knowledge and experiences but in the end we’re all human beings with our own individual joys and glooms and I believe that’s important to remember. There are two traits that I believe are principal in guiding kindness; patience and compassion.