Four Pillars of a Healthy Classroom Culture

Every choir teacher I know has stories about how Choir was the class where they felt seen, accepted, known. I agree...I experienced that, as well. Now, it's an incredible privilege to be on the other side, and work to create a place where students feel known and safe...safe enough to risk growth, safe enough to blossom and grow. It's such a gift.

That culture happens only with intention. Sometimes, we can inherit a healthy culture; sometimes we step in and have to build something new. Regardless of your current situation, I believe every healthy classroom culture is built from these four pillars.

Power.

Principles.

Picture.

Plan.

I'll briefly talk about these here, but will be digging in more deeply in a mini-course (out in the next two weeks!)

Power: Know your strengths. Know your characteristics. Building a culture on your own strengths/character leads to a consistently authentic and supported culture.

Principles: Know your non-negotiables. This can be heavy stuff - and it can be small stuff. For example, I absolutely will not tolerate any unkindness from one person to another in my classroom. And, also, I will not tolerate kids leaving their binders on the floor for me to pick up. A good way to identify your non-negotiables is to ask yourself ,"What would make me absolutely crazy if it happened regularly in my classroom?" Make that list first; that's a good place to start.

Picture: Know what you'd like to build. How do you want kids to talk about Choir? What do you want them to feel and experience in your classroom? Know where you're going - picture it - before you start building it.

Plan: Put together a plan to make it happen. What will you teach first? I'm not talking about music stuff; I'm talking about culture stuff. You'll have to teach every aspect of it - and you'll have to practice it. For example, how do you want kids to respond to other kids who sing alone for an audition or solo? You'll need to explain it, model it, and practice it.

The big four. All of them are important to create and build something that will last.

As always, I love hearing from you! What questions do you have? What do you love best about the culture you've built?

Thanks for being a part of my choir family - Teresa