Earlier I posted about my issues with current classroom management styles I've seen. With everything I now know about learning theory, I am aware that many teachers' styles are ineffective and detrimental to students both intellectually and behaviorally. While I do think that learning theory influences classroom management, I don't think that the topic can just be ignored and expected to develop on its own.
Whether we think about it or not, how we manage our classroom has an impact on who the students grow up to be just as much as how well they learn the content--if not more. We've spoken a lot about a "hidden curriculum" in other education classes, and it's entirely a real thing. Teachers are role models, and finding a balance between an authoritative robot, and a human being deserving of respect is necessary.
As a teacher I want to get to know each of my students individually. I want to know what they think their strengths, weaknesses, and goals are (okay, this idea was presented to me by a peer, but I've adapted it to my own philosophy). I want to set aside some time...sporadically during work time, not too formal...with each student throughout each term as a sort of student-teacher conference. I hope to build both a student-teacher relationship in terms of curriculum, and then a relationship that allows the students to just be comfortable to talk about interests, or life outside of my classroom. If I'm more than a teacher, I think the students will learn better.
The relationship teachers form with their class is very critical in classroom management. It influences a student's willingness to learn, what type of person they grow up to become, and how they relate with their peers.
