Well, I don’t manage them. I teach them, guide them, and learn along with them. I do not come to school intent on herding cattle but rather helping young minds develop their knowledge, as well as their desires to become more knowledgeable. I do not manage my classroom, but instead I collaborate with students to set up perimeters for us to function at our best, be our best, and want to stay that way. I do not manage their desires to learn or become better citizens; I nourish it, sometimes light it, but always, always maintain it.
I do not manage to get through my day, I flourish through it, loving the trials, the ups and downs, the wondrous moments that come with teaching. I do not manage my life or my curriculum, I live it, love it, and will continue to push myself as a teacher, a human being.
I am not a manager, I am a teacher, and I would like to stay that way.
Pernille Ripp 
I agree. And when all is said and done, students are ultimately responsible for managing themselves.
Well said!
I AGREE a 150%, but I am so worried and stuck about how I do this since I am first year teacher and have very limited experience. No one around me agrees with this they just keep saying how and what rewards should we give. I need advice and “next steps” options. Could you help at all? Valerie drewvalc@gmail.com
I AGREE a 150%, but I am so worried and stuck about how I do this since I am first year teacher and have very limited experience. No one around me agrees with this they just keep saying how and what rewards should we give. I need advice and “next steps” options. Could you help at all? Valerie drewvalc@gmail.com
I like this thought. I am also a 1st year teacher in a low income/extreme poverty school. Student teaching taught (or so I thought) me great “management” skills. My students are very wonderful, but very different from any student I have ever worked with in all my 1st year of teaching 😉