Classroom Management article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Classroom Management article - Essay Example The article posits that contrary to popular belief, effective teacher-student relationship has less to do with a teacher's personality and more to do with specific teacher behavior that includes dominance, cooperation and an awareness of high-need students. Appropriate Levels of Dominance. Dominance is not a negative characteristic, but implies a teacher's ability to, "provide clear purpose and strong guidance". In fact most students, when surveyed preferred such teachers over more permissive ones. Cooperation. Teachers and students need to work together as one team. Allowing students to set their own goals and asking for their suggestions creates a sense of involvement and sends the message that the teacher, "cares about and tries to accommodate students' interests". Although in a position of authority, the teacher must remain approachable to students both within and outside the classroom. Awareness of High-need Students. Studies have shown that as many as 12 to 22 percent of students suffer from some sort of mental or emotional strain. The average teacher is neither equipped nor trained to deal with such students, who can be a disruptive influence. An awareness of this fact, coupled with a few simple techniques can go a long way in maintaining effective classroom management. The paper identifies the various types of high needs students, their characteristics, and the strategies that c