Ep 140: 10 Truths About Building a Classroom Community (With Johnny Tiersma)
Inside This Week’s Episode: — In college, you learn a lot about how to run a classroom. But - there are many things that you only learn about teaching through experience. Johnny Tiersma, 6th grade teacher and children’s author, is sharing 10 truths about how to build a classroom community - all of which he’s learned from experience!
Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode
Join LINKtivity Learning: Start Your FREE 7 Day Trial
Book on Amazon: If I Were the Teacher
Book website: www.ifiweretheteacher.com
Connect with Johnny on Social Media:
We’ve heard it said: Relationships are everything.
It’s a bold statement, but - man, is it ever true…ESPECIALLY when it comes to teaching!
If the pandemic and the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that teaching and the success of students is more than just the academics that are taught. At least - academics are only a piece of the puzzle.
And if academics are like a puzzle... then the teacher-student relationship is the table that you build the puzzle on.
And, the conversation that I had on this week’s podcast is simply amazing.
Johnny Tiersma, 6th grade teacher and children’s book author, knows a thing or two about building relationships with students. His 16+ years in education has taught him that teaching the curriculum starts with building a positive classroom community. And he doesn’t only KNOW this - he’s passionate about it.
So, when he reached out to me to share his 10 truths about building a classroom community - it was a no brainer.
This isn’t your average conversation about building a classroom community. Johnny uses not only his teaching experience, but his humor and his heart, along with a few stories to help us all learn how to build a classroom community that feels like family.
Here are Johnny’s 10 Truths for Building a Classroom Community:
Relationships are the foundation to teaching.
The classroom is OUR classroom (but the teacher's classroom first).
Students need to feel safe so that they aren't afraid to take risks and fail.
Use humor in the classroom but always remember to be kind first.
Take your job seriously but not yourself.
Students have to "buy in" in order to be invested.
You have to choose things as a teacher (and in life). Choose joy and choose to like your students. Choose not to complain or gossip.
Names are big.
Have one meaningful conversation a day with a different student.
Mail home a personalized, handwritten note to each child in the first month or so of school.
Not only is Johnny pouring his energy into building a classroom community with his own students, but he also wants to help support teachers to do the same through his new book: If I Were the Teacher.
About the Book
Teaching is hard, and creating a thriving classroom environment is even harder. If I Were the Teacher is a read aloud that helps teachers build a safe and loving place of trust and wonder.
Children love to imagine, and that’s exactly what Max does on the first day of school. He dreams about what he would do if he were the teacher. His ideas are wild, chaotic, and downright hilarious. But in the end, Max realizes that it’s probably good he’s not in charge. He is very thankful for his teacher and decides that if she’s his teacher then he doesn’t want to change a thing.
This engaging read aloud uses inclusive and humorous illustrations to pull students into the story. This book will promote valuable conversations of wonder and curiosity while deepening the bond of the teacher-student relationship. If I Were the Teacher is a perfect addition for any elementary school teacher’s library.
About the Author
Johnny Tiersma has been involved in education for over 16 years, primarily as a classroom teacher in grades 6 to 8. He has also been a middle school interim principal, an instructional designer for higher education, and an adjunct professor of educational technology. Currently, he is teaching sixth grade in the Cardiff School District in San Diego. Johnny has a passion for students and has spent his career pursuing a classroom environment where students are able to flourish. His goal is to use his connection with students to help them feel safe, valuable, and ready to learn.
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