One that makes learning an enjoyable experience. As a former child, I want each child to walk away with a positive memory in their life of learning. Parkay (2001) wrote, "with the role of teacher also comes the power to influence others by example." (P. 25) It will be up to me to set the tone for the type of learning environment in my classroom. I will do this by being positive model for my students. I will have a neat and orderly classroom so that my students will always know where to find the things that they need. I will make sure that each student knows and understands what is expected of them during their time with me. I will show them that learning can be exciting by using imaginative techniques to teach the curriculum. But most important, I will let them know how important each one is to me and that their success in learning is also important to me. .
In order to accomplish all of the above, I must first establish authority in my classroom. Banner and Cannon (1997) stated:.
Authority in teaching, as in anything else, is legitimate influence over others. It differs from power in its moral component and because, while power may be used for good or ill, authority does not connote coercion. Authority has the unusual quality of being dual, or reciprocal, and thus dependant upon others for its fulfillment; in the classroom, it is composed both of a teachers knowledge, character, and conduct and of student's respect given back to the teacher in free acknowledgment of the teacher's greater understanding of the subject at hand and greater ability to convey it. Power, on the other hand, is coercive force - the exertion of will to command action - whose basis is dependency and often fear. As such, power has no place in teaching; its use is contrary to students" interest."(p. 21) .
This definition of the difference between authority and power clarified for me how I want my classroom to be.
