Participants' Comments

What was the most meaningful and useful for you...

"I felt that the activities actually helped me organize my classroom better and run a "tighter" ship without sacrificing a friendly and open classroom climate. I thought the building of the personal portfolio was terrific. When I look at my portfolio, I don't see any areas that are missing--I cannot only get through each day, but I have the guidelines for the whole year! I am proud of my portfolio--I like the detailed and sequential format of what I do to be a more efficient and effective teacher. I actually think about it during the teaching day and how many graduate courses are that relevant?

The readings and discourse all led to a personally developed, relevant focus on classroom management. I particularly liked the discourse on motivation, positive reinforcement, and feedback. It really made me think about what I'm doing and how I can improve. "
~ 7th Grade Math Teacher Okinawa, Japan

"I was glad not to have to get out and drive to a class but to have the convenience of doing this class in my own home or in my school office... The most useful information was the information on teaching styles and learning styles. After so many years, teachers tend to fall into a pattern instead of trying fresh ideas and methods to relate to students. Being reminded that not all students learn the same way that I teach was important for me. I gained many insights and fresh ideas from young teachers who have a different perspective on teaching and management than those of us from the old school. It was encouraging to see the quality of young teachers coming up.

This course helps teachers to have a more positive and well-run classroom, which benefits the teacher as well as the students. It is a topic that old and new teachers alike need help with. We can never know all that there is to know about good classroom management. This course was very well designed and interesting. "
~ Language Arts/Drama Teacher Ramstein, Germany

"I enjoyed the diversity of readings... and feel that I learned a lot that I can introduce to my fledgling department. I also enjoyed reading the reactions of other course members and seeing things from a point of view other than my own - which is always useful."
~ Elementary Spanish Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

"I don't think I've ever had a professor grade my work as promptly. Vicki's positive responses made my day and reminded me to extend the same thoughtfulness and kindness to my students."
~ Elementary Teacher, New Delhi, India

"The instructor’s continual feedback let me know to keep forming my ideas about my teaching… I really feared that, with an online course, I wouldn't know if I was on the right track. I am excited because of the things I have learned about my teaching style and how to organize a classroom through this class. The articles we read really made me analyze what works for teachers. "
~ Middle School Teacher Sembach, Germany

"It helped to open my eyes that I need to make sure my teaching style is varied to accommodate a variety of learning styles. The portfolio forced me to really think about my classroom environment, and the activities give new and veteran teachers a working document on how to keep their classrooms running smoothly. Great perspectives from my worldwide colleagues. I absolutely loved this. "
~ 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher Belgium

"Working at my own pace from my house but yet meeting people from around the world and learning many new things about classroom management to make my classroom run more smoothly and my teaching more effective. "
~ 4th Grade Teacher Farragut, Iowa

"I don't think I could have made it through the next trimester at the middle school without the ideas this class got me to think about. I love that such simple things can make the class run so much better. Whether you've been teaching for 25 years or have yet to set foot in a classroom, you will get something out of this class that will make you a better teacher. I have recommended this course to many of my friends. I thought it was great."
~ Middle School Art Teacher Charles City, Iowa

"Compiling my own portfolio allowed me to reflect on what I think works best and needs improvement in my classroom management skills. I appreciated what a useful tool this will become in the reflective teaching process. "
~ Student Teacher Darmstadt, Germany

"I appreciated the topics and hearing the responses to classroom issues from several different viewpoints... I liked reading how different teachers dealt with similar issues I face in my own class. I gained different perspectives of teachers from several different subject areas, experience levels, and locations all over the world. This is my first year teaching, and I enjoyed reading the perspectives of experienced teachers in the class. "
~ 5th Grade Teacher Sibley, Iowa

"I truly enjoyed having the time to think about the readings, formulate an opinion and express it in writing. My thoughts are usually better expressed over time as compared to a regular classroom when ideas must be expressed within a particular time frame. I reflected on the current practices I have and realize that I need to alter or update some of them. "
~ 6th Grade Language Arts, Reading Teacher Bitburg, Germany

"I would recommend this course for those of us with secondary majors that had a relatively ineffective or no classroom management course as an undergrad... I would recommend it to people who want new ideas about classroom management or to a new teacher who is struggling. "
~ Substitute Teacher Estherville, Iowa

"I really liked the fact that it was fast paced, intense, and really had me on my toes and thinking about everything I do in the classroom... You also showed me good ways to provide feedback in your own to me! I learned several new ways to manage my classroom including how to better give my students positive reinforcement and ways to motivate the ones who are hard to motivate. "
~ 6th-8th Grade Foreign Language Teacher Ramstein, Germany

"Once I started reading the articles I just couldn't stop! I loved it."
~ 2nd Grade Teacher Baumholder, Germany

"I enjoyed exchanging ideas with other teachers throughout the world... I gained ideas from many colleagues with different experiences to share. "
~ High School Teacher Buedingen Germany