My principal asked me as the science department chair if I could help one of our new teachers. From the beginning, she’s having issues with classroom management and organization. I’m willing to do what I can to help her, and she is open to this help. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do? —L., Rhode Island

If your school does not have a formal mentoring program, it seems like you can create your own plan. As a mentor you can be a role model, a good listener, a provider of feedback, a source of suggestions and resources, a shoulder to lean on, and someone with whom to bounce around ideas. As a colleague, you’ll want to be helpful but not judgmental or evaluative.

Even successful student teachers can get a rude awakening in their first year on their own, when they are responsible for their classes from the beginning. They don’t have the advantage of stepping into an established situation, in terms of setting up a classroom, lab equipment inventories, safety procedures, and routines. She may be trying to learn new content, and if she has more than one subject to prepare for, it can be overwhelming.

You could start with an informal conversation. “I understand that you have some challenges with classroom management. This happens to everyone. I had some real difficulties, too.” She may not realize that even experienced teachers face new situations every year, so it may help to share some of your own current challenges and how you’re working on them.

If possible, it would be good if you could observe this teacher—informally, of course. In addition to watching the teacher, consider what the students are (or are not) doing and how the classroom is set up. You could ask questions as discussion starters: What worked well for you when you were student teaching? What are your greatest challenges? What do you think about…? Did you notice today when…? Have you ever considered…? Her responses and your observations could be the start of an action plan.

In addition to your suggestions, social media would also be a good way for her to get new ideas.

From my mentor, I learned that the most important part of classroom management is having routines in place. This frees up time for more important topics and activities, rather than dealing with discipline or logistic issues. Ask what routines she has in place for the beginning and end of the class period or when students transition between activities. These are the prime times for disruptions, and it is important for students to be engaged and to know what is expected of them. Share some suggestions and resources for routines that work for you, ask her to try them for a week or two, and debrief on the results.

A lot of class time can be spent accessing materials and getting started on activities. You could suggest she

• Have a tray for each lab group to make it easier to organize and count materials and make sure everything is in place for the next class.
• Assign seats, lab groups, and roles for lab group members to lessen the time-consuming drama of students deciding where to sit or with whom to work.
• Designate where to turn in assignments and equipment and label everything, including the shelves or tables to organize materials students need during class.
• Color-code as a way to organize materials for different classes or subjects.

If classroom management and organization are concerns, you should also ask her about safety issues and how she deals with students who are disruptive and off-task during labs. Share with her what you have found effective.

It also could be helpful for her to observe other science teachers with the goal of understanding how they organize their students, learning time, and class materials. Since the school year has started, it will take some time and effort to “reboot” and introduce new routines. If her classes are out of control, you could suggest she postpone labs with safety concerns until students are up to speed on the new routines and understand the importance of safety.

Some of your suggestions would be second nature to a veteran teacher, but to a novice they can be life savers!

Feel free to share and discuss some previous Ms. Mentor blogs on topics such as

• Channeling Student Enthusiasm
• Classroom Seating Arrangements
• Struggling With Paperwork
• Bell-to-bell Learning
• Connecting with Students

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