What are effective strategies for mentees to develop their own classroom management plan?

1 Assess your needs

Before you start working on your classroom management plan, you need to assess your own needs and goals as a teacher. What are your strengths and weaknesses in managing your classroom? What are the specific issues or problems you face or anticipate? What are your expectations and standards for your students' behavior and learning? You can use self-reflection tools, such as journals, checklists, or surveys, to help you identify your areas of improvement and prioritize your actions. You can also ask your mentor for feedback and suggestions on how to address your needs.

2 Learn from your mentor

Your mentor is a valuable source of knowledge and experience in classroom management. You can learn from your mentor by observing how they manage their own classroom, by asking them questions, and by seeking their advice. You can also ask your mentor to observe your classroom and give you constructive feedback on your performance and progress. You should communicate regularly with your mentor and establish a trusting and respectful relationship. You should also be open to learning from their feedback and applying their recommendations.

3 Research best practices

In addition to learning from your mentor, you can also research best practices in classroom management from other sources, such as books, articles, podcasts, or online courses. You can find relevant and evidence-based information and strategies that can help you improve your classroom management skills and outcomes. You can also compare and contrast different approaches and perspectives on classroom management and see what works best for you and your students. You should be critical and selective in choosing the sources and strategies that suit your needs and context.

5 Implement your plan

Once you have created your plan, you need to implement it in your classroom. You should communicate your plan and expectations to your students and involve them in the process. You should also monitor and document your plan and its effects on your classroom environment and student learning. You should use formative and summative assessments, such as quizzes, tests, portfolios, or surveys, to measure your students' achievement and behavior. You should also use self-assessment and peer-assessment tools, such as rubrics, scales, or checklists, to evaluate your own performance and improvement.

6 Review and revise your plan

Finally, you need to review and revise your plan based on your implementation and results. You should reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, your successes and challenges, and your achievements and gaps. You should also seek feedback from your mentor, your colleagues, your students, and your administrators on how to improve your classroom management plan. You should celebrate your accomplishments and acknowledge your areas of growth. You should also update and modify your plan according to your new goals, actions, and results.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?