K-8 Art

Nina Otero Community School in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Phone Interview

Questions:

How do you go about setting classroom procedures and expectations at the beginning of the year? Are there any moments that you review these expectations?

"From day 1, have a routine. Clearly state expectations for EVERYTHING... how to enter a room, how to raise your hand and listen to others, how to get supplies, how to clean up... When behavior issues arise, you can then ask what the expectation was, and whether or not they followed it. Repeat these expectations all the time, or have them posted so that the student knows what the expectations are."

As an Arts Teacher, you see all of the grades. How do you tackle classroom behavior in a room with multiple personalities?

"I give students the choice to sit with friends, but I make it clear that with if they choose to not respect by expectations, they will lose this opportunity. I make it clear that they were the one who made the choice to not follow classroom expectations. I will also send kids to the office if I feel it is necessary, and communicate with parents if there are further issues. I have also gone as far as inviting parents to my classroom, which caused the student to be embarrassed and not want to misbehave again."

How has things like body language and setting expectations changed for you from your first few years of teaching to now?

"All behavior management comes from creating relationships with the students. The hardest ones become my best friends. When you take them aside and talk individually with them, take an interest in them, favor them a bit... you can get them on your side. As the years go by, it is easier because you've had these kids repeatedly and get to know their siblings or parents. It is ALL about relationship building. Also, finding anything to compliment them on, and sometimes even ignoring the annoying behaviors. I had a student who was being difficult as I was teaching the class some techniques on sewing. Afterwards, I pulled the student aside and chose to compliment him on his choice of being kind to a fellow student with a disability rather than his behavior. He felt good that I noticed that action."

Do you believe that someone could be a "natural" teacher?

"Yes. Some people just have it."

What has been your most fundamental tip for classroom behavior that you have either received or done in your classroom?

"Breaking things down in kernels, and building on from there. This can work for classroom expectations and clean up procedures. If you give the kids all of the kernels at once, they will get confused and not understand what you want them to do first."

What has been some of your favorite incentives that you've used to promote positive behavior in your classroom?

"Magic trash and dum-dums. During clean-up time, I look around the room at the trash and supplies that need to be cleaned up. When I say go, everyone cleans up, and the student that cleaned up the items I selected (but didn't name out loud) gets a lollipop. I also give out lollipops to students who do things without asking or stating that they are doing it."