What do you do if a teacher you mentor is struggling with classroom management?

1 Assess the situation

Before you offer any advice or feedback, you need to understand the root causes and the extent of the classroom management problem. Observe your mentee's classes, either in person or through video recordings, and take notes on what you see and hear. Pay attention to how the teacher sets expectations, communicates rules, handles disruptions, engages students, and provides feedback. Also, talk to your mentee and ask them how they feel about their classroom management, what challenges they face, and what goals they have. Try to be empathetic, supportive, and non-judgmental, and avoid jumping to conclusions or making assumptions.

3 Co-create an action plan

Once you have identified the areas of improvement, you can work with your mentee to co-create an action plan that outlines the steps they will take to enhance their classroom management. The action plan should be realistic, measurable, and time-bound, and should include both short-term and long-term goals. For example, a short-term goal might be to implement a new reward system or a seating arrangement, while a long-term goal might be to reduce the number of referrals or increase student engagement. The action plan should also specify the resources and support your mentee will need, such as professional development, coaching, or peer collaboration.

4 Monitor and evaluate progress

After your mentee has implemented the action plan, you need to monitor and evaluate their progress and provide ongoing feedback and encouragement. You can do this by continuing to observe their classes, either in person or through video recordings, and by checking in with them regularly. You can also use data, such as student surveys, behavior reports, or academic results, to measure the outcomes of the action plan. Celebrate the achievements and improvements your mentee has made, and help them adjust or revise the action plan if needed.

6 Connect with other mentors

Finally, as a mentor, you also need to take care of yourself and seek support from other mentors who can relate to your experience and offer advice. Mentoring can be rewarding, but also demanding and stressful, especially when dealing with classroom management issues. You might feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or isolated at times, and you might need some guidance or feedback on your own practice. By connecting with other mentors, you can share your challenges and successes, learn from their perspectives and experiences, and find inspiration and motivation.