How to Develop Your Inner Authority | Classroom Management

Summary

This video focuses on developing inner authority as a teacher, emphasizing confidence, connection, and self-reflection. Inner authority is not about being authoritarian but about being confident and clear in your teaching approach. Success in the classroom, especially through small wins like managing procedures, helps build confidence. Personal connections with students, self-reflection after both good and bad days, and experience all contribute to a teacher’s inner authority. The video encourages teachers to reflect on their actions and continually improve, making inner authority an achievable goal for educators at all stages of their careers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Inner authority is about being confident in your role as a teacher without being authoritarian.
• 😀 Developing inner authority involves being grounded in what you're doing and why you're doing it with your students.
• 😀 Building confidence in the classroom starts with achieving small successes, like teaching basic classroom procedures.
• 😀 Starting with manageable tasks, such as raising hands to speak or using sound cues, can build inner confidence.
• 😀 Personal connection with students is essential in fostering confidence and easing classroom management.
• 😀 Experience helps build confidence, but it is not a guarantee for success in classroom management.
• 😀 Self-reflection is crucial for teachers to grow, not only after negative moments but also after positive ones.
• 😀 Reflecting on what went right during good days allows teachers to replicate success and maintain inner authority.
• 😀 First-year teachers can be highly successful in classroom management, proving that experience isn't the only factor.
• 😀 Veterans with many years of experience may still struggle with classroom behavior, underscoring the importance of self-reflection over time.
• 😀 Constant self-reflection and asking where you were on the inner authority continuum helps improve and maintain confidence.

Q & A

What is meant by 'inner authority' in the context of teaching?

Inner authority refers to a teacher's confidence and comfort in being the leader of their classroom. It’s about being in control of the teaching process and feeling confident in how you are managing the students and the learning environment.

How does inner authority differ from authoritarianism in the classroom?

Inner authority is not about being harsh or dictatorial like authoritarianism. It’s about being confident and clear in your approach, while maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere with students. It’s a more balanced, calm, and effective form of leadership.

What is the most important way to build inner authority as a teacher?

The most important way to build inner authority is through experiencing success in the classroom. Achieving small successes, such as teaching specific procedures, helps to build confidence and reinforce your teaching methods.

Can you give examples of small successes a teacher can have in the classroom?

Examples include teaching students how to raise their hands to speak, getting quiet when a specific sound is played, or organizing the start of the class. These simple procedures can help build a teacher’s confidence and reinforce their inner authority.

How does personal connection with students help build inner authority?

When teachers feel more connected personally to their students, and vice versa, it makes the classroom environment feel more comfortable. This connection helps teachers feel more at ease and confident in their ability to manage the classroom.

How does experience contribute to building inner authority, and does it guarantee success?

While experience plays a role in building confidence and inner authority, it does not guarantee success. Some first-year teachers can be highly effective, while some experienced teachers may still struggle with classroom management. The key is in self-reflection and continuous improvement.

What role does self-reflection play in building inner authority?

Self-reflection helps teachers evaluate their actions and mindset, allowing them to assess where they were in terms of inner authority. By reflecting on both good and bad experiences, teachers can adjust their approach and replicate successful moments in the future.

When should teachers engage in self-reflection, and why is it important?

Self-reflection should not only happen after a bad day or difficult moments with students. It is just as important to reflect after positive experiences. Reflecting regularly, whether on good or bad days, helps teachers maintain and strengthen their inner authority.

What should teachers ask themselves during self-reflection?

Teachers should ask themselves questions like: 'Where was I on the continuum of inner authority today?', 'Could I have brought more inner authority into the situation?', and 'What went right today, and how can I replicate that success in the future?'

How can a teacher replicate positive experiences in the classroom?

By reflecting on what went right during positive moments, teachers can identify strategies or behaviors that contributed to success. They can then try to incorporate these same strategies into future lessons to create similar positive experiences.