One of the most difficult aspects of working in a classroom, or just with students in general, is managing the environment. There is no substitute for experience, as any seasoned teacher will tell you. However, you can prepare for your experiences by considering how you’ll handle yourself. Part of this is also covered in our section on Interpersonal Relations, and effective classroom management hinges on communicating effectively.

Think about your very first interaction with students. How do you envision the experience going. No doubt there will be plenty of nerves and apprehension to go around. Remember that this is a new experience for them as well as for you. Take a moment to watch the following video, and think about how you might come up with your own icebreakers for Day 1. Keep in mind that you’ll be working in smaller groups, but you should still be prepared to break the ice even with just 3-4 students.

VIDEO 1