From the Principal

The Need for High Expectations!

Many of you have heard me talk about the need for each and everyone of us to be unashamedly aspirational for our students. This sentiment is also reiterated to staff on a regular basis. Teachers who work at Lakeside College are selected to do so because they exemplify the quality of excellence in all that they do. Our teachers are highly educated, expert in their content knowledge and professional in all they do.  I make it my business to spend time with our teachers and observe them in their work in the classroom. It gives me great pleasure to witness teachers exemplifying our values of Learn, Care, Achieve in their classrooms throughout the day. 

There are times, however, when I see students choosing not to engage in their learning, but instead choosing to be disruptive and disrespectful to teachers. As Principal of Lakeside College, I expect the very best from my teachers at all times and as the Principal of this great school, I equally have very high expectations in regard to the behaviour of our students. We expect students to respect the fact that each and every student at this school has the right to learn, free from unnecessary and unwarranted disruptions.  I also expect students to show the attention and respect that teachers deserve. The refusal to follow a reasonable request from a teacher is not an acceptable or appropriate response from students, nor is responding to teachers rudely or aggressively. I encourage parents who are notified of their child’s poor behaviour to reiterate to their child the seriousness and inappropriateness of their behaviour. It is important we present a united front on our behavioural expectations of our students to achieve the best academic, social and emotional outcomes for them. 

The following reasons outlining why classroom management is important come from a blog on the University of Augusta website and succinctly provide reasons why our student's behaviour in our classes needs to be carefully monitored and addressed. 

What Is Classroom Management?

Classroom management — the actions educators take to create and maintain an environment that’s conducive to learning — is important for students and teachers alike.

For students, well-managed classrooms can lead to fewer behavioral problems, stronger engagement and better academic performance. For educators, successful classroom management can make their lessons more effective and keep stress at bay. As the nation grapples with teacher shortages, lower levels of stress among educators is critical for all education stakeholders, including teachers, students and families. A 2021 study of public-school teachers, published by the RAND Corp, a public policy research organization, revealed that 40 percent of educators who quit did so because of stress.

 Exactly why is classroom management important?

A host of reasons exist for classroom management’s value, and together they strengthen students’ ability to learn.

These positive learning experiences and outcomes have implications for not only students and teachers but also society at large. High levels of teacher effectiveness and student achievement are critical in preparing future employees, promoting equitable opportunities and encouraging community involvement.

Benefits of Effective Classroom Management

In the classroom, fostering an environment that helps with learning offers many benefits for students and teachers. Below are some of the reasons to practice good classroom management.

Establishing a Learning Culture

Effective classroom management helps students stay on task. When students are focused on learning, educators can devote their attention to teaching their planned lessons, providing individualized attention as needed without behavioural interruptions.

Building Relationships

Students who are in a well-managed classroom are more likely to feel comfortable and connected to activities occurring in class and elsewhere in the school. Students can more easily connect with their peers, building relationships and strengthening social and emotional learning in addition to academic achievement.

Promoting Health and Safety

Well-managed classrooms help protect students’ and teachers’ health and safety. By following established policies and procedures, students are less likely to act in ways that can hurt others or damage property. Students’ and teachers’ mental health benefits from effective classroom management, helping prevent the chaotic environment that can create stress — and damage educators’ confidence in their work.

Clarifying Processes

An important part of successful classroom management is clearly setting rules and expectations and establishing routines for student work. By identifying and enforcing the procedures for classroom order, teachers help students — and themselves — establish a rhythm for how classroom activities will take place.

Encouraging Accountability

Good classroom management encourages students to take accountability for following established policies and processes. It also fosters an environment in which students hold each other accountable for exhibiting strong engagement and good behavior.

Accommodating Diversity and Inclusion

Successful classroom management encourages feelings of belonging among all students, embracing differences in cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds and abilities. It allows for a collaborative environment in which students can learn from each other as well as from instructors.

Today’s Classroom Management

Recent years have seen an increase in classroom management that features a less-formal structure and student-centered learning. This approach encourages relationship building and learning through participation in hands-on activities and discussion. Classroom management techniques have also evolved to incorporate a greater emphasis on strengthening mental well-being to ensure that students can focus on their learning. This type of classroom management can foster collaboration, inclusion and innovative thinking.

https://www.augusta.edu/online/blog/why-is-classroom-management-important

As a community of educators, we constantly learn and strive to do better and be better and this value is shared with our students. Our collaboration with parents means that we support each other to achieve the best outcomes for our students each and every day and this is something we really appreciate and are grateful for. We adhere to our behaviour management protocols not as a way of wanting to control or manipulate, but out of a sense of care and love for our students. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 that “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” 

Blessings

Robert Tassoni

Principal, Lakeside College