classroom management

Observing Tennis Teachers

Today, I watched my niece during her tennis lessons. Separated only by a chain link fence, I could hear and see everything: two former tennis pros teaching 11 kids ranging from ages six to twelve.

I teach in the classroom with pencils, paper and computers and these teachers instruct under the sun with rackets and balls. Yet the underlying methodology of successful teaching is the same:

  • immediate, clear feedback
  • behavior management – create an air of productivity
  • rigorous, high-bar work

This is what I consider to be the “holy trinity” of the effective classroom. I shared my observation with my sister-in-law, “These guys are so strict!”

“Yeah, but that’s why we changed teachers. The last one was too nice and the kids were goofing off all the time and not getting better.”

AHA!

The kids were working hard. They weren’t laughing or goofing off on the sides. When the instructors told them to pick up all the balls, they did. When they had to transition from one exercise to another, they did so, immediately. They were working. But you know what? They love their tennis lessons and they take pride in getting better every week.

After their 90 minute lesson, they stumbled into their cars, exhausted and satisfied.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post-Mortem (Or, Reflecting On the Year)

A Piece of the Berlin Wall in DC
I’ve held several jobs: website producer, executive secretary, digital media salesperson, radio sales coordinator, and teacher.
I’ve been teaching for over ten years and I’m still learning!

My daughters, ages 13 and 14, attend the school where I teach.

They are teenagers, so I take a lot of what they say with a grain of salt. However, when they talk about their teachers, I really listen. Here is what I have learned:

  1. Be strict, but also be fun and approachable.
  2. If a girl is a few minutes late to class, assume she just got her period unexpectedly and give her respect by not belittling her in front of the class.
  3. Teach well – in class. Limit homework. Middle school kids have at least 9 teachers who also assign homework.
  4. Give points and kudos for effort.
  5. Routines are excellent, but change things up a bit once in awhile.
  6. Extracurriculars and school-wide events are worth attending! Don’t make your students miss them.
  7. Control your class!

I think the rules can apply to any job: know your “stuff,” be flexible, respect everyone. Be professional, fun and approachable.