Who Did I interview?
It was a easy choice for me to choose who I wanted to interview. I went to chestnut Mountain elementary school and in fifth grade I had the best teacher. His name was Mr. Wandrum. His class was so much fun and the way he told funny stories made me enjoy getting up early in the morning and going to school. I knew that if I became a teacher he is the one I would want to be like. So, in order to find his secret on how to make his students so interested I interviewed him. Below in black are my questions and responses to his answers. Mr. Wandrum's response to my questions are in light grey.
1. How much of your time is spent on dealing with discipline on a daily basis?
I’d say less than ten minutes a day. Many days I don’t deal with any discipline issues.
2. How do you deal with common little misbehaviors? For example: a student getting up out of their seat or talking across the room in a discussion.
I have clear expectations that I have the kids practice. I make sure I don’t embarrass students. I more or less remind students of proper behavior. I also have a job system that rewards good behavior and punishes poor choices. I write names on the board for infractions and that costs money in the class paycheck.
3. How do you deal with a student if they keep acting out even though you have already talked to them about them misbehaving?
I call home as a first resort. Then I might have them spend a day working in a kindergarten classroom. As a last resort, I refer them to the office.
4. How do you handle more disrupting behaviors like a child hitting another or verbal fights?
That is a referral to the office. It happens very rarely.
5. Tell me about a challenging discipline problem you have had. How did you manage it?
I once had a student that was out of control. This was my first year teaching. I had 5 rules on a poster that my students had to follow. I created a 6th rule that nobody was allowed to talk to this student at all. That lasted for two days and then he broke down and apologized and we talked it out and built a great relationship after that. He turned into a pretty good student.
6. How do you give your students recognition and positive reinforcement?
I am constantly praising them. They also get paid for my job system.
7. How do you communicate with a parent about a student’s performance?
I have a put all grades in Canvas, so parents can see them at any time. I also use a daily behavior sheet as daily two way communication between myself and the parents. I call or email parents as soon as I perceive a red flag with grades or behavior.
8. Describe your classroom management style.
I’d say my style is strict but fun and caring.
9. How could you proactively prevent or reduce student misbehavior?
The best way to proactively prevent or reduce student behavior is to keep students engaged and make school awesome and interesting for them. Also be fair and consistent because this builds respect.
10. How can I best provide ongoing support for proper student behavior?
You can set clear expectations, be consistent and fair and make school fun and challenging.
I’d say less than ten minutes a day. Many days I don’t deal with any discipline issues.
- I think that this is great and reflects Mr. Wandrum’s set rules and how he is strict in his classroom.
2. How do you deal with common little misbehaviors? For example: a student getting up out of their seat or talking across the room in a discussion.
I have clear expectations that I have the kids practice. I make sure I don’t embarrass students. I more or less remind students of proper behavior. I also have a job system that rewards good behavior and punishes poor choices. I write names on the board for infractions and that costs money in the class paycheck.
- I think that this gives students incentive to do well and listen to the teacher. This was the child is not embarrassed but they still know that they did something wrong and do not want to do it again.
3. How do you deal with a student if they keep acting out even though you have already talked to them about them misbehaving?
I call home as a first resort. Then I might have them spend a day working in a kindergarten classroom. As a last resort, I refer them to the office.
- I think calling home first is a good idea because it gives their guardians a chance to help change their behavior before they get a more drastic punishment like going and sitting in another classroom.
4. How do you handle more disrupting behaviors like a child hitting another or verbal fights?
That is a referral to the office. It happens very rarely.
- I am glad to hear that this is rare and that it is given a acceptable and much needed consequence.
5. Tell me about a challenging discipline problem you have had. How did you manage it?
I once had a student that was out of control. This was my first year teaching. I had 5 rules on a poster that my students had to follow. I created a 6th rule that nobody was allowed to talk to this student at all. That lasted for two days and then he broke down and apologized and we talked it out and built a great relationship after that. He turned into a pretty good student.
- I think that this is kind of harsh but it seemed to work and the kid did not ever get out of control again. It’s nice to see that with the right guidance a kid could change for the best.
6. How do you give your students recognition and positive reinforcement?
I am constantly praising them. They also get paid for my job system.
- I think the job system is a great idea. When kids behave they get rewarded with Wandrum bucks. And once a month there is a classroom store that is student run and you can buy snacks, homework passes, or lunch passes to sit in the classroom during lunch.
7. How do you communicate with a parent about a student’s performance?
I have a put all grades in Canvas, so parents can see them at any time. I also use a daily behavior sheet as daily two way communication between myself and the parents. I call or email parents as soon as I perceive a red flag with grades or behavior.
- I like that everyday he communicates the child’s behavior to their guardians. And that when he sees a problem he immediately calls the guardians. I think that this is very effective and makes happy guardians.
8. Describe your classroom management style.
I’d say my style is strict but fun and caring.
- I think that this is the best classroom environment. It sets boundaries all the while being fun to where you enjoy going to school and learning.
9. How could you proactively prevent or reduce student misbehavior?
The best way to proactively prevent or reduce student behavior is to keep students engaged and make school awesome and interesting for them. Also be fair and consistent because this builds respect.
- I like this response because its main idea is to make school fun! Who doesn’t like fun school, I’d imagine this leads to closer relationships with the teachers and students as well.
10. How can I best provide ongoing support for proper student behavior?
You can set clear expectations, be consistent and fair and make school fun and challenging.
- Fun and challenging is a great mix for a elementary school classroom. It allows them to love to come to school everyday so that they can work hard and learn something new.