Conscious Classroom Management: Unlocking the Secrets of Great Teaching

"[This] book takes a magnifying glass to great teaching, revealing the key assumptions that allow teachers to organize their teaching and discipline students in ways that invite student cooperation."
―From the Foreword by Spence Rogers, Founder and Director
Peak Learning Systems

"Rick Smith peeks behind the invisible veil of good teaching to discover numerous enlightening classical concepts and techniques that all teachers can use to become better at their craft."
―Rick Curwin
Author, Discipline with Dignity

"Rick Smith has the power to engage any learner. His deep understanding of how we learn, his highly nuanced, empathetic humor, and his gentle regard for fellow learners of any age combine to provide the reader with ′aha after aha.′"
―Bea Warner, Staff Development Director
Escondido, CA

Make your job easier! Find out what really works for effective classroom management and reap the benefits of engaged and productive students!

Conscious Classroom Management is a delightfully rich text that incorporates meaningful stories, insights, humor, and invaluable strategies for what really works in the classroom. And while classroom management is the primary factor behind how successful teachers can achieve sustained student learning, this wonderful text also addresses the human elements of teaching, focusing on three primary subjects: the students, the teacher, and the relationship between the two.

Comprehensive and practical, Conscious Classroom Management helps teachers to:

• Eliminate power struggles with your most challenging students
• Discover how holding your ground can help students cooperate
• Uncover your teacher presence while reducing stress
• Create lessons that help students remain focused, eager, and willing to learn
• Appreciate your craft at a deeper level
• Think ahead and prepare to teach
• Energize and invigorate how you mentor and train other teachers

For the novice, first-year teacher to the veteran, classroom-tested teacher, classroom management is the most critical factor for sustained student learning. And eliminating the cycle of student misbehavior is the cornerstone for effective classroom management.

This reference transcends every level of preparation and provides new and experienced teachers with the practical and comprehensive strategies necessary to get the most out of every student. Written in an easy-to-read and humorous, conversational style, this resource is indispensable for new teacher induction or regular staff development.

Rick Smith is an award-winning teacher, education consultant, and international presenter. He taught students in San Rafael, California for over fifteen years (with a primary focus on students at risk), and was a mentor/support provider and mentor coordinator for seven years. He has taught in the Secondary Credential Program at Dominican College in San Rafael and has trained American Peace Corps Volunteer Teachers in Ghana, West Africa.  He has given numerous keynotes, pre-conference workshops, and presentations at state and national conferences throughout the United States.  Currently, he teaches in the Elementary Credential Program at St. Mary′s College in Moraga, California and mentors beginning teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area.