Which of These Popular Classroom Management Styles Are You?
by Brad Melsby – updated October 15, 2024
For better or worse, we exist in a “tips and tricks” world. Let’s say you’re looking online for advice on classroom management, you’d instantly find the following:
Online advice is helpful, if a bit repetitive.
But here’s my possibly unpopular take: When it comes to classroom management, you’re actually on your own. What I mean is that only you – not AI, not an online article, and not New Teacher Coach – can create your classroom management style.
Sure, your colleagues and the internet can help, but ultimately it’s up to you to find a classroom management style that works. In this article, I’ll cover four of the most common classroom management styles.
As you read:
- You’ll likely identify with one style more than others
- Note the pros and cons of each style
- Consider which classroom management style fits the type of teacher you want to be
Four Popular Styles of Classroom Management
It is generally accepted that there are four distinct styles of classroom management. These four styles mainly vary in the amount of control the teacher assumes over the students. The four styles are: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and indulgent. Here is a breakdown of all four. More information can be found at TeachHub.
Classroom Management Style #1: Authoritarian
As the name suggests, the authoritarian style seeks a highly controlled environment with strict rules. The teacher maintains control through the creation of rules, norms, and procedures without student input.
Instructional activities are typically teacher-led. Since individual work is easier to control than group work, the students generally work independently. The teacher has little interaction with the students; the goal is to be an intimidating presence.
Major strength: A high level of teacher control generally results in fewer behavior issues.
Major flaw: The lack of meaningful student-teacher relationships leads to low student involvement and motivation. Students are compliant as opposed to engaged.
Signs You Lean Toward an Authoritarian Style:
- You avoid sharing personal anecdotes or showing yourself beyond your teacher role
- The main instructional strategies are independent work or teacher-directed
- You use phrases like “those are the rules/procedures/etc.” frequently
- Student movement and interaction are strictly controlled
- You feel tense when students ask “why” questions about the rules or procedures
Classroom Management Style #2: Authoritative
This style attempts to balance teacher control with student involvement. With this style, teachers work hard to establish positive relationships with their students. They establish clear expectations for student behavior.
Rules and norms are created with student input, but the teacher has the final say. Students are encouraged to engage and participate in the classroom culture and their learning. The teacher prioritizes student engagement. Instructional activities are student-centered with the teacher acting as the facilitator and guide.
Major strength: Balance of teacher control and student involvement.
Major flaw: None
Signs You Lean Toward an Authoritative Style:
- You explain the reasoning behind rules and procedures
- Students participate in the creation of classroom norms
- Students actively participate in class discussions
- You have positive interactions with students while maintaining clear boundaries
- You address misbehavior consistently but respectfully
- You regularly use both praise and constructive feedback
- You feel comfortable adjusting lessons based on student needs even if it changes your calendar planning
Classroom Management Style #3: Permissive
The permissive teacher allows students to do whatever they want because the teacher lacks the will or desire to create or maintain structure or expectations. It is characterized by low teacher involvement — they’re just hanging on for June or retirement.
This teacher is not interested in much interaction with the students, which means little rapport is established. As a result, this teacher will get low engagement from the students. Instructional activities are not thoughtfully planned because the teacher is hands-off.
Major strength: None
Major flaw: The teacher is “checked out”, resulting in little to no student learning.
Signs You May Lean Toward a Permissive Style:
- You often ignore minor misbehavior that should be addressed
- Your lesson plans are loosely structured or incomplete
- You frequently feel overwhelmed or disconnected
- Students regularly ask, “What are we supposed to be doing?”
- You avoid having direct conversations with students
- You find yourself counting down the days until breaks
Classroom Management Style #4: Indulgent
Teachers who engage in the indulgent style demonstrate a low level of control because they want the ownership of the classroom to reside with the students. These teachers often have a very good rapport with their students. But sometimes this style can be “too friendly” which leads to a lack of teacher control.
When students take control of the classroom, student learning suffers. It is common to find students do not feel safe in these classrooms because the teacher has not provided a structure or clear behavioral expectations.
Major strength: Good student-teacher rapport
Major flaw: A low level of teacher control can lead to an unsafe, unstructured environment.
Signs You Lean Toward an Indulgent Style:
- You’re often referred to as the “cool teacher”
- Your room is the gathering place outside of class time and things sometimes get loud and out of control
- Students call you by your first name
- Class discussions frequently go off-topic
- You struggle to bring students back to task
- You worry about losing your relationship with your students if you enforce rules
- Your classroom procedures change frequently based on student preferences
Next Steps
Classroom management styles exist on a spectrum from highly controlled to completely hands-off. The general rule of thumb is to aim, overall, for an authoritative approach but you may lean toward the other styles depending on the activity you are doing or a particular class that you may have.
Understanding these different approaches is a first step toward creating a more effective learning environment for your students and a more positive classroom experience for yourself.
Ready for the next step?
Check out this post to identify your current approach and find practical strategies for developing a more authoritative style. We’ll include a comprehensive self-assessment guide and specific steps for making this transition successful.
Until then, take a moment to observe your classroom interactions tomorrow. Notice how you make decisions, respond to student behavior, and structure your lessons. This simple observation will prepare you for the self-assessment tools and transition strategies we’ll explore next time.
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Brad has taught history at the middle and high school levels for 19 years, almost exclusively in American public schools. He holds a master’s in educational technology and is passionate about elevating the status of professional educators.