Key Domain - Positive Classroom Culture
A positive classroom culture occurs when educators create diverse learning opportunities and build relationships that focus on the well being of the whole child. When educators build a positive classroom culture, we foster growth mindsets and a willingness to take chances and risks in learning.
Connection to Dimension of Quality Teaching
- Teacher as Cultivator of Quality Learning Environments
Professional Focus
- Culturally Responsive Instruction - Educators welcome learning opportunities that provide culturally responsive instruction (Brown et al., 2018). Cultural instruction is focused not just within the classroom but on a global level that empowers students to be global citizens.
- Growth Mindset and Self-Regulation - Create an environment and culture where students can learn from mistakes and see failure as an opportunity to develop as a learner (Dweck, 2008; Lee et al., 2013; Masten, 2011).Through this process students learn how to self regulate and work through challenges which will help prepare students to be engaged lifelong learners.
- Student-Centred - Educators create learning opportunities that will put the students at the center. The role of the student shifts from a recipient of learning to a contributing member of the learning community recognizing their own strengths and learning styles (Brown et al., 2018). Students and educators work together to create a positive classroom culture.
- Collaborative Relationships - Educators focus on relationship development through collaboration to promote trust, safety, and confidence for the well-being of our students (Lee et al., 2013; Brown et al., 2018). Collaboration includes students, educators, parents, and community.
Reflective questions:
- How do we ensure that our classroom is culturally responsive?
- How can we foster environments that help students to self-regulate and engage in their own learning?
- How do learners contribute to the classroom community?
- What are some ways that we collaborate that promote trust, safety and confidence?
References:
Dweck, C. S. (2008). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House Digital, Inc.