An effective classroom is one in which learning is achieved by every student. To engage and motive is a key component of achieving an effective classroom environment. The goal is to move students toward gains in student achievement and this would involve building a classroom culture in which there is effective communication between teacher, students and parents. Additionally, it is important for students to show gains both on an intellectual level and creative level. In order for this to occur, students need emotional growth, a love of learning and the ability to take ownership of their learning process. When students feel that their voices are heard, that their opinions are valued and that they can control the course of their own learning, they excel. This can be done through developing and implementing sound, creative, and diverse lesson plans, continually assessing student process, engaging them in critical thinking and reflection and most importantly, adjusting the plans based on student needs. It is important to make learning relevant and to spark passion in the young people of today. Student work toward a goal, but in order to set the goal, as teachers we have to understand what we want our students to learn. We need a clear path to our destination and every day students need to take a step closer. Without that clear path the students will lose sight of their goal and wander aimlessly. As the teacher I would communicate everyday to students what they are going to learn, why it is important to learn this material, how it relates to what has been done previously and how the learning will occur. We need to narrow the achievement gap by taking time to figure out what the students need. A long-term plan should be in place which groups learning goals and provides a timeline for pacing throughout the year. First and foremost, as teachers we must hold ourselves accountable to real, measureable academic gains by our students.