Writing  

Your  Classroom  Management  Philosophy  

Writing   your   philosophy   is   not   an   easy   task,   there’s   a   lot   to   think   about.   For   starters,  
what  do  you  think  the  students’  role  is?  Do  you  think  that  students  should  have  a  say  in  
the  rules?  What  about  the  teacher’s  role?  Should  the  teacher  be  the  one  to  set  all  of  the  
rules?  What  is  your  belief  about  managing  a  classroom,  do  you  like  the  idea  of  using  a  
reward  system?  Asking  yourself  these  kinds  of  questions  will  help  you  shape  the  body  
of  your  statement.  

When   you   sit   down   with   pen   and   paper   in   hand,   divide   your   paper   into   three  
categories:  Your  view  on  what  the  students’  role  should  be,  the  teachers’  role,  and  your  
beliefs   about   classroom   management   as   a   whole.   Under   each   category,   list   a   few  
questions  or  statements  that  correlate  with  that  topic.  Once  you’re  done  answering  your  
own  questions,  you’ll  have  an  idea  what  your  philosophy  is.  Then  all  you  have  to  do  is  
add  an  introduction  and  a  conclusion,  and  you’ll  have  your  philosophy  statement.  Here  
are  a  few  questions  to  help  you  get  started.  

Views  on  the  Students’  Role  

• Do  you  think  students  should  be  molded  to  behave  properly?  

• Do  you  think  students  should  be  disciplined?  
• Do  you  believe  students  should  be  self-­‐‑regulated,  or  do  you  think  students  can  
be  taught  self-­‐‑control?  
• Do  you  view  students  as  equal,  or  do  you  think  they  shouldn’t  get  a  say?  
• Do  you  believe  in  giving  students  responsibilities,  or  do  think  that  will  give  them  
too  much  control?  

Views  on  the  Teacher’s  Role  

• Do  you  see  yourself  as  a  boss  or  more  as  a  guide?  Or  are  you  more  of  a  facilitator  
or  a  delegator?  
• What  is  your  view  on  creating  rules?  Should  the  teacher  make  them  all  or  should  
it  be  a  negotiation  with  the  students?  
• Are  you  more  of  an  assertive  educator,  or  do  you  think  teachers  should  be  more  
laid  back?  
• Is  the  teacher  the  leader,  or  do  you  think  the  students  should  have  a  say  in  what  
or  how  they  learn?  
• What  is  your  belief  on  discipline?  Should  the  student  have  a  say?  

 
Views  of  Managing  a  Classroom  

• Do   you   believe   in   establishing   an   authoritarian,   permissive,   or   democratic  

atmosphere?  
• Do   you   believe   in   a   more   student-­‐‑centered   classroom,   or   a   more   traditional  
classroom?  
• What  is  your  view  on  disruptive  behavior?  
• What  is  your  belief  on  rewarding  students  for  good  behavior?  
• Are   you   OK   with   using   the   school   system’s   behavior   management   plan,   or   do  
you  want  to  adopt  your  own  because  you  have  a  different  perspective?  

Sample  Excerpt  Statement  

I  believe  that  all  students  should  be  treated  fairly,  and  that  it’s  better  to  teach  discipline  than  to  
impose  it.  I  will  do  this  by  having  a  strict  routine  and  consistently  teach  my  students  acceptable  
behavior.  

Once  you  have  answered  these  questions  and  the  questions  that  you  have  come  up  with  
yourself,   you   should   have   a   pretty   good   idea   on   your   overall   classroom   management  
philosophy.  Be  sure  to  introduce  your  statement  with  your  overall  viewpoint,  and  your  
goal  of  your  classroom  management  plan.  Then  follow  that  with  a  paragraph  about  the  
students’  role,  the  teacher’s  role,  and  your  overall  view  of  managing  a  classroom.  Sum  
up   all   your   thoughts   on   how   your   plan   will   provide   your   students   with   a   safe   and  
supportive   learning   environment,   and   you   have   yourself   a   classroom   management  
philosophy  statement.  Good  luck!  

https://www.teachhub.com/how-­‐‑write-­‐‑classroom-­‐‑management-­‐‑philosophy  

 Philosophical  Statement  

 I   am   committed   to   making   my   classroom   a   safe   and   challenging   environment   and  

engaging   my   students   through   the   curriculum   as   well   as   getting   to   know   them   and  
interacting  with  them  one-­‐‑on-­‐‑one.  I  believe  that  meeting  the  needs  of  my  students  is  a  
very   crucial   part   of   my   classroom.   I   want   them   to   be   comfortable   with   the   other  
students,   as   well   as   me,   so   that   there   can   be   meaningful   discussions   and   interactions.  
Talking   will   be   common   place   in   my   classroom,   along   with   group   work.   I   want   to  
encourage  all  students  to  participate  in  class  so  that  they  can  learn  from  each  other  as  
well   as   me.   I   want   to   have   a   democratic   and   equitable   classroom   so   that   students   can  
learn.  I  want  to  be  a  fair  as  I  can  be,  so  the  students  trust  me.  
I   feel   that   I   have   a   very   patient   and   calm   attitude   with   my   class.   I   ask   students   about  
their   life   outside   of   class   and   feel   that   they   respond   in   class   even   more,   knowing   that  
someone  is  paying  attention  to  them.  I  want  them  to  feel  comfortable  asking  questions  
of  me.  I  think  my  attitude  towards  the  students  is  not  overbearing  or  authoritative.  I  do  
not   believe   in   forcing   the   students   to   do   anything.   I   want   to   work   with   them   in   all  
circumstances   so   that   we   can   achieve   together   and   they   don’t   feel   like   I   am   spoon-­‐‑
feeding   them   information.   I   want   students   to   be   a   part   of   their   learning.   I   want   to  
motivate  students  to  learn  and  keep  their  interest  by  using  engaging  curriculum.  I  want  
to  involve  students  in  rules  about  the  classroom  as  well  as  what  curriculum  they  would  
like   to   study.   I   believe   if   students   feel   they   are   involved   in   the   workings   of   the  
classroom,  they  will  be  more  motivated  to  engage  in  the  class  and  in  turn,  learn.  

http://people.umass.edu/~afeldman/beingnewteacher/sampleplan.html