Title: A.T.A.P How to Achieve a Workable Classroom Environment
Author: Dr. Mavis A. Bouie
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-9845-4094-2
Pages: 100
Genre: Nonfiction/Education
Reviewed by: Holly White

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Dr. Mavis A. Bouie has written a helpful book titled A.T.A.P How to Achieve a Workable Classroom Environment for teachers just starting out and for those who might have years in the field but are looking for a refresher. It is heavily researched and offers many resources for various aspects of her topics in a carefully assembled listing.

Dr. Bouie strives to make it clear that classroom management cannot be separated from learning. Her ultimate goal is to make each student feel special and to learn at his or her own pace, without leaving out the others in the classroom. She explains strategies which will allow a teacher to keep control of the classroom from the minute the day starts until it ends. She includes tips for maintaining an emotionally and physically safe environment so that no one is embarrassed when a mistake has been made, and no one student can disrupt the entire room with boisterous behavior.

Dr. Bouie certainly gained my attention when she discussed what to do if a “student gives you the finger.” I had to read it twice. It’s lucky that I’m not a teacher, because my response would have been far different from her own measured one. Dr. Bouie discusses how that student has disrespected the entire classroom by showing disrespect to the teacher and then takes the reader through the appropriate disciplinary steps.

She also wrote about what to do if a student hits the teacher. She writes, “…when responding, it is important to keep in mind the nature of the incident, student’s age, and the intent because there is a difference between a student who is three to five years old who is experiencing a tantrum, swaying his/her arms, and hitting the teacher, and the twelve- to eighteen-year-old who hits a teacher with the intent to harm.” Dr. Bouie clearly has had varied experiences as a teacher and she offers strategies for dealing with all manner of classroom disruptions.

There is a lot of interesting information about working positively with cultural diversity. As we all know, it is not uncommon anymore for students in one classroom to speak different languages and to come from different backgrounds. Dr. Bouie offers, “I would suggest encouraging parents of different cultures to volunteer at least once or twice a week to assist you in class, group activities, projects, or fieldtrips. Students will eventually become comfortable working with parents of other cultures and begin to view their classmates of different countries as a friend more quickly. In fact, I have experienced that once students become comfortable with other students of different cultures, they begin to exchange ideas and collaborate more about their individual customs. In addition, their inquisitiveness results in a lifelong learning process which leads to student research and ongoing activities and discussions. She goes on at some length to discuss other ways to make cultural diversity a plus, and also writes about helping parents who don’t speak English.

It would have been nice if Dr. Bouie had included actual incidents from her own years at the front of the class, since she clearly has a wealth of knowledge. Maybe it’s safe to assume that she has probably seen it all by now. Dr. Bouie’s take on things are helpful in real life as well. She writes extensively about respect and understanding and self- esteem, and those are personality traits all of us could pay more attention to.

There are some blank “Notes” pages which will give you more room for your own thoughts and ideas than writing in the margins. I feel this book will appeal to a wide reading audience as with having children around, whether in a school or at play in home, we are all teachers.