Working with ONC Students

TO PONDER “I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the school. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As an educator, I have tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.” Haim Ginott

It’s All About Building Relationships before addressing behaviors Greeting students in the hallway Get to know students NOT in your class. Ask them their name and what program their in Introduce yourself. Compliment them. Catch them being good! Become a mentor. Treat students as you would want to be treated. Seek to understand.

So what about those behaviors ?

All Behavior Has Meaning Behaviors Emotions

Behaviors Adaptive Maladaptive is the collection of conceptual, social, and practical skills that all people learn in order to function in their daily lives. Maladaptive is a type of behavior that is often used to reduce one's anxiety, but the result is dysfunctional and non-productive.

Behaviors Anger/Aggression :verbal, physical Inappropriate verbalizations: Swearing, name calling Non Compliance Escape/Avoidance Disengagement Panic Phobia Anxiety Depression Social/relationships Mental/Cognitive

Behavior Influences Psychiatric Disorders/Mental Illness Learning Disability Emotional Disability Drug/alcohol/substance addiction Family Financial stressors Family Dysfunction Disengaged Learner History of Failure: Each student carries within them a collection of insults, failures, put downs. Unmet Medical, Physiological, Emotional needs Medication Attention, Revenge, Power, Helplessness Parenting Learning Environment

   Love/Belonging Power/Importance Freedom Fun

Defining Discipline WHAT IS MISSING? Traditional discipline = control with punishment consequences WHAT IS MISSING? The development and support of pro-social behavior Punishment in and of itself does not work!

A NEW DEFINITION The steps or actions teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and students follow to enhance student academic, social and behavior success Intervention with student to modify/teach the appropriate behavior.

OKAY, WHAT NOW? Talking to students, not at them Asking questions – not making accusations. (Distractions from behavior) What’s your name? Hey, are you okay? Can I help you with anything? Do you need to talk to someone? Support the student If you can’t do anything, let someone know. (Don’t walk away.)

STUDENT MANAGEMENT Always treat youngsters with respect and preserve their dignity. Always do what is in the students' best interests. Seek solutions, not blame. Model patient, dignified, and respectful behavior. Use the least intrusive intervention possible. Connect with your students and build strong personal bonds with them. Instill hope for success (otherwise there is no reason for kids to behave in your class). NEVER give up on a student.  Be concerned with the actions of a student, but keep believing in his/her ability to change for the better. Reward good behavior. CATCH KIDS BEING GOOD . . . ….A LOT!!

Be the Change you want to see ….. In your classroom!