Standard 2 - Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning

Teachers promote social development and responsibility within a caring community where each student is treated fairly and respectfully. They create physical or virtual learning environments that promote student learning, reflect diversity, and encourage constructive and productive interactions among students. They establish and maintain learning environments that are physically, intellectually, and emotionally safe. Teachers create a rigorous learning environment with high expectations and appropriate support for all students. Teachers develop, communicate, and maintain high standards for individual and group behavior. They employ classroom routines, procedures, norms, and supports for positive behavior to ensure a climate in which all students can learn. They use instructional time to optimize learning.

2.5 Developing, communicating, and maintaining high standards for individual and group behavior

As teachers develop, they may ask, “How do I…” or “Why do I…”

• facilitate student participation in classroom decision-making?
• foster and support appropriate student behavior?
• collaborate with students, families, and communities to establish, maintain, and
• communicate standards for student behavior?
• understand the underlying causes of student behavior, including developmental and individual needs, and utilize that knowledge in support of positive classroom conduct?
• work proactively to prevent and respond quickly to minimize behavioral issues?
• understand and respond to inappropriate behaviors in an efficient, fair, and equitable way?
• help all students learn to take responsibility for their own behavior and actions?