I don’t know about you, but I
believe that God puts certain things into your life at just the right
time.  While reading Guided Math by Laney Sammons, she referenced the book Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller
and the “feeling of endless time” that Debbie discusses.  I felt so intrigued and just had to check out
the book.  I downloaded a Kindle sample
and read through the first couple of chapters. 
I was instantly in love.  I think
I fell in love so quickly because it was just what I needed as I moved from a
special education position to a general education position. 
In my special education role,
I loved being in a variety of classrooms and having the opportunity to work
with a wide array of teachers and styles. 
I have always said that this is a perk for me as a teacher.  I get to experience so much and truly develop
as a teacher.  When I think back though,
the classrooms that stick out the most in my mind are the ones where you can
feel the love as soon as you walk into the classroom.  Learning is more comfortable and engaging
because students are in a stimulating environment where they feel they belong to a community. 
Debbie Miller’s quote from
above comes after leaving a classroom that she couldn’t forget.  She thought about the “room, those kids, and
their teacher well into the night.” 
(Miller, 14) She was in love with the environment of the classroom.  She sarcastically hypothesized that this
teacher must have “by some lovely quirk of fate, got all of the brilliant,
motivated, and well-behaved children.” (Miller, 14) I couldn’t help but ask
myself if the practices that I was planning for my general education classroom
will be as motivating and warm as I want them to be.  By reflecting throughout this book, I have
tried my hardest to make sure that my classroom emits this feeling year after
year. 
So what do I want my
classroom to look like?
I want to see a classroom
that is designed for cooperative learning, discussions, and occupied by
friendly and helpful students.  I want to
see students who are independent and ready to learn.  I want to see students who care about the
quality of their work that decorates the classroom.  I envision a room where students are
accepted by all for their strengths and are diligently working to improve upon
their weaknesses. 
What do I want my classroom
to sound like?
In my classroom, I want to
hear students discussing and collaborating using grade level, appropriate vocabulary
and helping one another in need.  I want
to hear students sharing the knowledge that they have mastered to help others
who might not quite “get it” yet.  I want
to hear students taking ownership of their learning and the classroom
responsibilities. 
What do I want my classroom
to feel like?
I want my classroom to feel
like home to my students, especially those who don’t have an ideal home.  I want them to feel welcome and
respected.  I want them to feel
challenged and motivated to do their best. 
I want others, whether it be students, teachers, administrators, or
parents, to walk into my classroom and not want to leave.  I want them to have the urge to stay because
they are enjoying what is taking place and the “feeling” that they get when
they step over that threshold.

What do you want your
classroom to look, sound, and feel like? 
I’d love for you to comment below!

post signature