My ideal classroom

By Mimi Nissim
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
March, 2011

From today’s class, I realized how important it will be for me as a teacher to motivate my students and do whatever it takes to grab their attention in class. From day one of class, it will be my responsibility to get to know each one of my students. By gaining more knowledge about who they are, it will help me become a better teacher for them and also a better motivator. My classroom should be an environment in which all my students feel comfortable and feel warmth. Students spend six hours a day at school and the classroom should be some place where they can always feel safe and secure. My role as a teacher should be to know my students interests and try to develop them.

Also, I must try to expose them and introduce them to new and interesting ideas that they may enjoy. For teachers, the hardest part is probably finding the best way to engage your students and motivate them to learn. If we are able to excite them and draw their attention, then they will get the most out of their education.

Different methods can be used to motivate students. Teachers have always used different point systems, such as charts, stickers, or earning marbles in the jar. In my opinion, positive reinforcement is always helpful in getting students to work harder in order to achieve those rewards. The difficulty comes about when you do not offer the rewards but want them to be motivated to learn. The best way would be to do hands on activities that will make the students into active participants in the learning process. I also believe that doing group discussions and projects are also very beneficial. Day after day, teachers must create exciting and captivating lesson plans that will teach the students the curriculum but also motivate them to learn. If the motivation is not there, the student will never succeed and will stop caring about learning. Teachers have this huge responsibility to not only teach but to also persuade the students to learn.

My ideal classroom…..I would familiarize myself with all my students and get to know them as much as possible. I would create unique and fun lessons that they will enjoy. I will motivate them each day to work harder towards their goals and strive to do the best they can. Looking forward to those days, I am very excited to have such an opportunity to impact young kids and make a difference in their lives. The responsibility may feel huge, but the reward is well worth it.