Performance Standard 7: Positive Learning Environment

The teacher consistently provides a well-managed, safe, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and encourages respect for all.

Sample Performance Indicators
Examples may include, but are not limited to:

 

The teacher:

7.1 Responds to disruptions in a timely, appropriate manner.

7.2 Establishes clear expectations for classroom rules, routines, and procedures and enforces them consistently and appropriately.

7.3 Models caring, fairness, respect, and enthusiasm for learning.

7.4 Promotes a climate of trust and teamwork within the classroom.

7.5 Promotes respect for and understanding of students’ diversity, including – but not limited to – race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

7.6 Actively listens and pays attention to students’ needs and responses.

7.7 Creates a warm, attractive, inviting, and supportive classroom environment.

7.8 Arranges the classroom materials and resources to facilitate group and individual activities.

Contemporary effective teacher research has found that an effective teacher:

• Cares about students as individuals and makes them feel valued. ²³
• Acknowledges his or her perspective and is open to hearing their students’ worldviews. ²⁴
• Is culturally competent.²⁵
• Seeks to know about the cultures and communities from which students come.²⁶

 

Exemplary In addition to meeting the requirements for Proficient…	Proficient Proficient is the expected level of performance.	Needs Development	Ineffective
The teacher continually engages students in a collaborative and self-directed learning environment where students are encouraged to take risks and ownership of their own learning behavior. (Teachers rated as Exemplary continually seek ways to serve as role models or teacher leaders.)	The teacher consistently provides a well-managed, safe, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and encourages respect for all.	The teacher inconsistently provides a well-managed, safe, and orderly environment that is conducive to learning and encourages respect for all.	The teacher inadequately addresses student behavior, displays a negative attitude toward students, ignores safety standards, or does not otherwise provide an orderly environment that is conducive to learning or encourages respect for all.