2009-2010 TSS Blog: Advice for New Mentee

One of the most important things that I would help my mentee with is classroom management. To me there is nothing more important than establishing rituals and routines during the first weeks of school. The procedures (behavior, transitions, how to get supplies, restroom policies, etc.) must be established day one. I would tell my mentee, anything that you do not want to be still addressing in January, you must establish routines for in August. Children have to know what is expected of them, how to be independent learners and problem solvers, and how to behave appropriately even when no one is looking in order for learning and success to occur in the classroom. It is very hard to be strict at the beginning of the year, but once you have established your expectations the remainder of the year will run smoothly. I would sit down with my mentee and discuss what is important to her (noise level, pencil sharpening, hallway behavior, getting supplies) and then help her decide how she will address these things starting the first day of school. I would want her to start the first day with a plan for all of these things and feel confident in her ability to execute the plan with the children.