Classroom Management

Well, I wasn't really able to observe how my teacher managed her class because this week they were doing OAK tests. The first time I went in there, I was only there for half an hour because people aren't allowed to be in the room while kids test, unless they sign a form, which I hadn't done.
But before they started, I did notice how the teacher would try to get them to be quiet and listen. She would just hold her finger up to her mouth to shush them, but it didn't seem the most effective way because it took the kids quite a while to quiet down. I think she could come up with another way, such as thumbs up or two fingers so the kids are more involved and try to be quiet.
Because I had to cut my observation short, I went back to the school to observe again. This time the teacher was out grading the tests so I had to observe a substitute teacher. I noticed that subs definitely don't get enough respect from the students. The students don't even seem to want to listen to the subs. Subs need to learn to how to get respect from the students instead of taking crap from them all the time. Just like in Educating Esme, the kids stabbed a pencil in a substitutes back because they didn't like her. I think it was nice that I got to observe a sub as well since I'll most likely start off as a sub.

Philosophy

The last blog wasn't really my teacher's philosophy. It was basically me complaining. So, I thought I would post another one!
My teacher's philosophy was to treat every student as a special and unique individual. Each student deserves a safe and respectful environ ment to learn and grow academically, emotionally, and socially. As an educator, she wants to encourage her students to their fullest potential. She also wants to encourage sharing, communicating, and compassion to other students. I think she has a fairly good philosophy, but I'm not sure if she actually follows it because I haven't been in the classroom yet.

I felt that the interview with my teacher was a little depressing. She was very friendly and it seems likt it will be fun to work with her, but it also seemed like she wasn't enjoying her job. She said that if she was thinking about being a taacher in today's society, she probably wouldn't do it. She said it was very tiring, and there is a huge problem with respect issues. Kids now-a-days just aren't very respectful. Now, she didn't get into teaching until she was about 40, so I'm wondering if she had started early, if she wouldn't have as big an issue with it?