Ms. Williams Teaching Philosophy & Classroom Management by Megan Williams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn The inspiration and goals for my young scholars. This is a living document to be updated as I change and grow. EDU 275 en-us 2021-08-10 15:00:21 UTC 2025-11-22 14:55:18 UTC hello@padlet.com https://media0.giphy.com/media/lQPHNPMPZ7tcIwseGn/giphy.gif TEACHING PHILOSOPHY mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674496914 Building a conducive classroom environment means creating a space that is, "emotionally safe, that helps students to perceive the importance of what is being taught, that helps them realize they can achieve and that is instructive in the procedures for doing it" (Kellough & Kellough, Chapter 4 page 103).]]> 2021-08-10 19:07:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674496914 Respecting Yourself & Others mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674557592 Respecting your peers, your instructors, and yourself is vital to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. This can include being respectful in our communication and responses to our peers and instructors. Respecting the time we have together in class by not interrupting peers while they speak. It also means being mindful of what we say to each other, understanding that we all have different lived experiences. ]]> 2021-08-10 20:21:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674557592 Inclusivity mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674564795 Our classrooms are communities, one in which we are kind, collaborative, and are open-minded. This collaboration is not just between students and their peers but between students and teachers. It is important to "involve students in every aspect of their learning, including the planning of learning activities, thereby giving them partial ownership of and responsibility for their learning” (Kellough & Kellough, 2011, p. 110). Students will be included in different aspects, from creating community expectations to mediums used for projects. Students deserve to be heard and have a voice in their education.]]> 2021-08-10 20:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674564795 Growing Minds mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674597972 Teaching students to be open-minded is an ongoing process. It means creating lesson plans that include diversity and cross-cultural awareness. Encouraging students to think critically will enable them to take ownership over their individual learning and reach their goals. Through inquiry-based teaching, we will foster a love of learning and inspire students to keep growing. ]]> 2021-08-10 21:06:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674597972 Equity, Not Just Equality mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674640601 Providing students with what they need to grow and thrive in the classroom is imperative for them to succeed. As Kellough et. al (2011) says, "Knowing your students is at least as important as knowing subject matter content" (p. 111). By creating meaningful relationships with our students, we will better understand what they need and how we can help them. Providing a student with severe ADHD a graphic novel to read instead of the conventional text allows them to continue participating despite their learning differences. Another way to create equity in a classroom accepting late work without penalty. In recognizing the differences in race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other social identities among our students, we can adjust our teaching approach to best serve our students. ]]> 2021-08-10 22:11:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674640601 CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674648488 I believe good classroom management involves including students creating a classroom community that they want to be a member of. I believe good classroom management involves being organized, but being flexible when the plan does not go as planned. I believe good classroom management begins with the teacher, they are responsible for creating a classroom culture that is energetic, positive, relational and safe for all students.]]> 2021-08-10 22:25:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1674648488 Classroom Expectations mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675011202 These classroom expectations are based primarily on the values that are listed in my teaching philosophy. They will include:
  1. Be kind to one another.
  2. Be respectful of others' ideas, opinions, and time.
  3. Be prepared to learn with an open mind.
  4. Be inclusive and collaborative with your peers and your ideas.
  5. Ask questions.
These expectations are a living document. Taking from Rudolf Dreikurs logical consequences approach, I will work with my students to establish additional expectations and norms that they would like to include in their classroom community. Including students in the creation of their learning community will give them agency over their education.
]]> 2021-08-11 04:42:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675011202 Strategy for Undesired Behaviors mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675463410 1)  Address the misbehavior through verbal redirection by addressing the student directly and reminding them of the correct procedures.
2) An informal talk will take place with the student about the behavior in question and the expected/desired student behavior. This conversation would take place after class.
3) A call home to the parent/guardian is required if the undesired behavior continues.
4) Administrative referral to the office and a parent-teacher-student meeting will be scheduled with additional school administration, if necessary ]]> 2021-08-11 13:39:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675463410 Classroom Routine mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675467197 When you enter the classroom:

1. Arrive on time for class.
2. Come prepared with class materials ready and electronic devices fully charged.
3. Complete warm-up activity listed at the front of the room.

At the end of class:

1. Complete exit ticket and turn in any worksheets that are due. 
2. Pack up your items.
3. Push in your chair before you leave.]]> 2021-08-11 13:41:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675467197 Teacher-Student Relationship mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675924362 To create a more positive learning community and facilitate higher achievement with my students, I will implement a person-centered style of classroom management. As Carl Rodgers and H. Jerome Fieldberg say, a person-centered classroom allows students to "feel a sense of belonging, enjoy some degree of power of self-discipline, have fun learning, and experience a sense of freedom" (Kellough & Kellough 2011, p. 107). Through communication and inclusivity, we will be able to create a cooperative classroom environment. A classroom where students are not only responsible for their actions but also their learning. This environment will make the learning process more engaging and encourage motivation amongst students. 

]]> 2021-08-11 19:53:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1675924362 A Marriage Between Two Frameworks: UDL & PBIS mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1677842435 "We're going to be doing our thing within those frameworks that works for our learning environments" -Gregory Boerio
Boerio, Gregory, and Denise Malkovits. “The Marriage of UDL and PBIS: A Framework to Support the Whole Child.” Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence - OCALI, 8 May 2018, www.ocali.org/project/the-marriage-of-udl-pbis. ]]> 2021-08-13 06:09:39 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1677842435 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678406340 No two students are alike. Through meaningful connections with students, we can provide targeted support, but there are always a few that can fall through the gaps. By incorporating UDL as a teaching approach in my classroom, I will be able to that works to remove learning barriers and create lessons that will be accessible, flexible, and engaging.
Morin, Amanda. “What Is Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?” Understood, Understood, 26 May 2021, www.understood.org/articles/en/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works.

]]> 2021-08-13 16:50:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678406340 Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678505709 I believe schools need to move away from punishment as a solution to undesired behavior. PBIS emphasizes prevention instead of punishment. However, to ensure students meet behavior expectations, they must know the expectations are. By working with students to establish classroom expectations, preventing problems, and creating logical consequences, we can create a safer and more positive learning community.
Lee, Andrew M.I. “What Is PBIS?” Understood, Understood, 13 May 2021, www.understood.org/articles/en/pbis-how-schools-support-positive-behavior. ]]> 2021-08-13 18:22:37 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678505709 Classroom Layout mecwilliams https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678727403 I believe classroom setup has an impact on students' engagement and learning process. Flexible seating allows students with different learning styles to work in an environment where they stay engaged. This is accomplished by providing a small couch, comfy chair, or even a standing desk. This is also accomplished by rearranging the classroom based on the lesson. Creating small groups to encourage collaboration or forming a large talking circle to encourage debate or discussion are examples of utilizing what is available in your classroom. By engaging their bodies in movement, you are also engaging their minds. ]]> 2021-08-14 00:26:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mecwilliams/1rr3r00bu7loyuzn/wish/1678727403