Author: Gabi
Blog 6
Classroom management is very important. It is the foundation of a successful classroom. I believe that it is also the foundation to the rest of a child’s life. School and education is a huge part of any child’s life. We as teachers aid them in that journey that will last for at least 12 years and hopefully longer. We have an incredible potential within us to help our students realize and tap into their own limitless potential. In keeping a focused and organized classroom and curriculum, we are just further committing to those students in trying to take care of everything to make the child’s learning experience as positive and thorough as possible.
In my opinion, I believe a positive and nonjudgemental classroom will allow students to come in and learn without worrying as much about those external variables they cannot control. I want them to be able to focus on what they can control and to make those outcomes as positive as possible. I understand that not every experience in school will be a happy one-everyone makes mistakes. But I want to make my classroom an environment that will allow and even encourage mistakes. Learning through trial and error is an effective teacher.
If all goes according to plan, I will become a Spanish teacher. In my classroom, I want to have it organized so that it instills a sense of wanderlust. St. Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page” and I absolutely believe that. Travel is an integral part of language. It opens new doors and possibilities. I want to be a part of that for as many truly interested and dedicated students as I can. In addition to this, language forges new bridges and allows communication to build new and strong relationships within people, cultures and traditions. I want to communicate this feeling to all my students and let them know that I am there to help them to succeed, and enjoy the trip along the way!
Blog post 5
Management strategies:
Opening the lesson:
The teacher was very down to business and began with the morning announcements. She was patient with their “wiggles” but eventually she wound the conversation down. I liked how she let the students chat a little bit before getting down to business. This gives them a little chance to get some of that disruptive behavior out of the way before class really has a chance to begin. The teacher was obviously sticking to a routine, and since the students seemed to be well acquainted with it, they were secure enough in their environment to be able to eventually completely focus on the content (they were seventh graders, hence the word “eventually”).
During the lesson:
At this point the teacher was a lot more strict on students paying attention. She gave them the opportunity at the beginning of class to talk a bit, so it was expected that they behave accordingly to the bit of a compromise she gave them. The students realize that she did not have to give them that privilege, so they need to recognize that this is a privilege and not a right. She also made her way around the room and included everyone in popcorn reading, answering questions, filling in the blanks, etc.
Close of the lesson:
The students tried to pack up early, to which the teacher reminded them that class had not yet ended. It is important to stick to that rule-once the students see that you are willing to bend on that, they will start to stealthily pack up earlier and earlier each time. Once the students start packing up, that means their interest and attention is focused elsewhere. She reviewed what they had done and what they would pick up in the next class, along with going over the homework and asking the class to repeat her directions.
Transitions:
In making transitions, she would be lighthearted and make jokes to reroute attention for a little bit before jumping into another activity. Rerouting students attention once in awhile helps to reset their attention span. Others were when students would get passes to go to the office or wherever they were needed. She interrupted class as little as possible and continued with the attitude of going on and subtly prodding the students to follow her, not this new distraction. Bathroom breaks were also something that the students knew about expectations, so things went on without a hitch for the most part.
To apply in my own classroom:
I liked the respect she had for her students, especially in allowing them to chat a little bit before she started class. That showed her students that she trusts them enough to reward them with this privilege. It helps the students to feel more important and validated, while helping to control disruptions later on.
Blog post #4

Blog:
https://senorhoward.com/blog/
This blog is managed by a teacher named Señor Howard. He has been a teacher since 2004 and has had this blog to report on several different things that an instructor teaching a foreign language goes through often. There are subjects links on one side and as you click on them, it leads you to a blog post addressing that subject. He also likes to leave helpful videos and pictures to illustrate his point, which I enjoyed. There are plentiful sources of means to get a point across, which is also something good to remember as a teacher to his or her students.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COt8fxqYlXo
This video is by Catherine Fortin, and she is going over different tips on managing a foreign language class. As I was listening to her list, I noticed that most of these tips could be easily applied to other classes and subjects. But nonetheless, they were all good points. I liked how she said to tell the students at the beginning in English her expectations for them this class period. Then they have no excuse to not obey.
Website:
https://www.actfl.org
My website is from the American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages. It is really comprehensive in all of the information offered. There are a variety of articles available for teachers to consult and also to join a large community of teachers with differing views, but all with the desire to make things as good as they can in order to make that learning experience as positive and cohesive as possible.
Blog post #3- The Future of Alaska Native Education
It is really saddening to hear of the trials other people have gone through based on the ethnocentric views of other cultures. I think that is one of our biggest flaws as the human race, that we cannot seem to accept people and their beliefs as they are, and that we feel the need to impose our “correct” views and traditions upon others. That being said, there are improvements being made. We are more open minded to other points of view. I think this article in particular shows both sides. It shows where we used to be and how intolerant we were in thinking we were doing everyone a favor by stripping their identity, to being tolerant and even encouraging the presence of rich and different cultures. I think culture and diversity are one of the many beautiful things we enjoy on this planet. The fact that we have so much variety in our world is refreshing and keeps things interesting! So for that reason it makes me so happy to see improvements being made in the educational communities out in these more remote villages. I see this article as kind of a timeline of how far we have come- and also how far we still need to go.
I would comment on this article and thank the author for his meaningful and thoughtful article. I would tell him that I appreciated how he plainly stated those injustices native people and especially their children suffered. Finally, I would also try my best to share this with others that I know so that we can spread the good news and encourage the spread of more good news and happy events and progress happening.
Blog Post 2- Gabi Summers

1. Be positive
2. Give it your best everyday!
3. Raise your hand when you want to speak
4. Come to class prepared
5. Respect your teacher and your classmates
These would be at least some of my classroom rules. I feel these are important because it teaches students that this is a safe an positive place to learn and maybe think out of the box. It would also teach them to be respectful of their classmates and teachers, which also helps to encourage a positive environment to learn in. I would want these rules at least, and then encourage my students to brainstorm on some more, maybe on some posters that they can make as artistic and colorful as they want. This allows students to express their creativity while also focusing on the task at hand. I feel it is very satisfying for a teacher to treat their students like equals and want to hear their input. It encourages speaking up and leadership skills, along with cultivating that learning environment.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/building-positive-trusting-classroom-jose-vilson
I enjoyed reading this article because it had one key point that I really agree with and want to make a point of using it in my classroom, and that is affirmation and validation. Students are coming into an unfamiliar environment and can already be uneasy. So I want to make it a priority to always be positive and show my students that learning is a good feeling, not something to be scared of. I also like how it mentioned never to use negative words or phrases like “wrong”, or “you can’t do that”. Students want to grow and progress and you as a teacher constantly telling them they can’t is going to stomp out that vivacity to learn. It will take patience, but it is so important to learn how each and every student learns so you can best accommodate each and every one of them.
Introduction: Gabi Summers

Hi there! My name is Gabi Summers and I am a senior here at UAF. I am originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming, but consider Alaska home. It is the best place in the world to be! I am studying Spanish with a minor in Secondary Education. I have had a lot of informal experience with younger children through teaching swimming lessons, babysitting, volunteering, etc. but I would like to learn more! I love kids, and have also found that I enjoy volunteering with the Special Olympics swim team here in Fairbanks. I love what I do! I hope to eventually become a Spanish teacher for junior high students. A couple of my hobbies are swimming, reading (for fun, no homework nonsense!), baking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, and traveling! I would love to see more of the world! Thats it for me, thanks for reading! Good luck this semester, everyone.