Ness Is a Preventative Model

¶ … ness is a preventative model of classroom management. Rather than focus on repercussions and consequences of behavioral problems, with-it-ness requires teachers to maintain conscious awareness and control in their classrooms to prevent problems from erupting in the first place. Teachers will notice that as they become more tuned into their students, they can detect warning signs that preclude an outburst. For example, a student who has stopped paying attention to the teacher's lecture might be writing a note to her friend; a boy who looks agitated might be having difficulty understanding the lesson but is too embarrassed to say so. With-it-ness therefore depends on nonverbal communication skills as well as keen awareness: to be able to notice and interpret various types of body language or changes in appearance in their students. Preventing the problem may involve verbalizations such as asking a student directly if something is wrong, or in some cases a meaningful glance or physically approaching the student's desk will take care of the problem.

Practicing with-it-ness may require teachers to play a more active role in their classrooms, such as by paying attention to students when they walk in, walking around the room periodically, or ensuring eye contact throughout the day. For early childhood educators, with-it-ness may also extend beyond classroom hours, as teachers have a responsibility to notice when their students might be having troubles at home. Watching young students during lunch hour or recess may offer cues to their future behaviors in the classroom.