Educators play a key role in what happens in their classrooms (Nagro et al., 2019). Brian Mendler, author of the book That One Kid (2022), uses vignettes from his own life as both a disruptive student and a special education teacher to show other teachers how their reactions can influence the outcome of encounters with difficult students. In his book, Mendler (2022) states I personally believe the first line on a referral form should ask what the adult did wrong. Second, what the adult can do differently next time. Third, what the kid did wrong, and fourth, what the kid can do differently next time” (p. 12-13). During a recent professional development training, I had the opportunity to hear Mendler speak and to collaborate with him in a small group setting. Many of the strategies that he discusses in his book and highlights in his professional development seminars (Mendler, 2023) are like those noted by Breaux and Whitaker (2010). Additionally, Mendler’s (2022) anecdotes utilize these components proactively as a preventative measure against disciplinary issues. In the text, Mendler (2022) uses the analogy of …show more content…
I can see if a wing is missing. I can see if there is a hole in the fuselage. My thing is, I’m not going down for something I should have seen (p. 11). Likewise, in Chapter 3, Breaux and Whitaker (2010) discuss the importance of maintaining clear and consistent rules and policies as a component of effective classroom management. The authors of both texts also highlight the impact of positive and caring relationships on disruptive behavior (Breaux & Whitaker, 2010; Mendler, 2022). Mendler (2022) suggests spending two minutes of unrequired time each day building relationships with the most challenging students. Similarly, in Chapter 4 of the text, Breaux and Whitaker (2010) recommend the question “are you all right? (p. 11) as a starting point for building relationships with difficult
Because AB is allowed a scribe, his assignments should include the use of a scribe in order to allow him to participate more fully. AB is in small group interventions three hours a day, five days a week, and is the oldest student in the group, so he should be given a leadership role whenever possible to address the student’s deficits in a positive manner and boost his self-esteem. Because AB is so helpful and willing to follow instructions on a regular basis, he should be used as an example in Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) whenever possible. When making PBIS statements, he should be recognized. For example: “Thank you, AB, for sitting down quietly and beginning your
At Harmony School of Discovery we have a very tight knit group of students. When Discovery first opened as a new school it opened it’s doors to kids from everywhere and from every which background. Us students were forced to come together and start fresh with virtual strangers, leaving behind everything familiar. This reality forced us to build new bonds with people going through the same hurdles as us, adjusting to a new school and a disparate environment. We learned how to nurture and preserve close relationships among our classmates, relationships between teachers and students, and relationships between students and administration.
Because of the diversity that exists among our student population, it is important to offer an education that meets those diverse needs. This includes fostering an appreciation for the unique qualities students bring to the school community. Through working collaboratively in the classroom, students grow both academically and emotionally as they achieve project goals. In order to meet student needs, teachers must be prepared with the latest in professional development strategies to differentiate instruction among all learners. It is the responsibility of the district to provide comprehensive professional development and resources equitably to the teaching
People sometimes do not realize that it is okay to be different. They may try to be someone they are not to conform to what others find acceptable. They also may change what they look like, or even how they act to fit in. This is how the main character, Jordan, feels from the story, New Kid, by Jerry Craft. In the story, Jordan, a 12 year old African American boy, recently transfers to a prestigious new school that has mostly white kids.
During Dr. Lauri Kirsch’s presentation, she discussed one of the professional development strategies where she conducted a simulation of students that have resources along with students that do not have resources. The professional development titled “Four Corners”, paired teachers together, rationing out supplies, and asking all the groups to produce the same outcome. This analogy resembles what students from impoverished areas face, daily. They are not as equipped as their counterparts yet they are asked to perform at the same
This desire manifests itself in many ways, yet at its core is building relationships with students and teachers and then extending these relationships to families and the community. With students, I seek to be visible, greeting the students at the door and working to learn their names. When discipline is necessary, I believe that restorative correction is the best avenue to change behaviors while maintaining relationships. As teachers spend the most time with students during a typical school day, they are essential team members in improving educational outcomes and promoting an inclusive culture. I detail my strategies for working alongside teachers in the subsequent question; however, I strive to support them by creating a culture of trust, safety, training, and collaboration through professional learning communities.
Do you have experience with being a new kid at school? The story “New Kid” by Jerry Craft is about a twelve-year-old boy, Jordan, who is a new kid at the Riverdale Academy Day School. Jordan faced different problems, such as making friends. The author, Jerry Craft, talks about different life lessons about school throughout the story.
I model appropriate behaviors, establish routines and simple rules in the classroom, speak positively with the children, understand that children may not be ready to share, and they need to explore and experiment with control and saying ‘no’. I realize that all children may show challenging behaviors – they are learning to control their bodies, and to control their emotions. I feel the most important aspect of positive guidance for challenging behavior is to build strong relationships with the children. These relationships allow me to know exactly what each child needs in terms of developing their social, emotional, and problem-solving skills, their self-regulation, and their
When reading Chapter 5 “Craig Seganti on Taking charge in the classroom”, the overall chapter was interesting when it comes to managing a classroom. As a teacher, we want to be able to control the structure of a classroom, but at times is unable to accomplish the task due to our student’s behaviors. At the beginning of the chapter it states a productive classroom may have difficulties but it is the way a teacher present themselves along with the rules of the classroom determines the outcome of the student’s actions. When presenting to the students the rules of the classroom, the teacher needs to present the rules on the first day of school and have the students sign a copy to ensure they are aware of the information. When it comes to the
Build positive relationships with students will help establish a more comfortable classroom environment. Michie have put a great amount of effort at trying to get to know his students on a more personal level, such as through individual home visiting and personal questionnaires about each student’s likes and dislikes about school. In order for students to feel that the information is relevant to them, teachers should make connections and relate to real life examples. Michie uses his past classroom experiences to connect to his students and further sparks class discussion. Michie would try to relate to what the students were going through in their lives to get to know them better.
I viewed Howard Korder’s “Boy’s Life” on June 4th, at the Glenn Hughes Penthouse Theatre. The play follows the lives of Jack, Don, and Phil, three young professionals trying to figure out their love lives (played by Tim Moore, Nathan Wornian, and Denny Le respectively). The new college grads are all in different places in terms of relationships. Jack is married with a child, but seemed dissatisfied, most likely because his large personality could not handle the fact that his wife wore the pants in the family. Don is looking around, and finally finds Karen (played by Emma Brocker), an eccentric woman who puts Don is his place and forces him to grow up.
Julie Hanus wrote the “The Kid in the Corner Office” which made many assumptions about our generation in the workplace. She simply thinks that we are self-centered and generally only think about instant gratification and ourselves. Which she believes makes us near useless in the workplace, because we are afraid of taking risks. She also believes that our generation has become one that skips from job to job in search of more praise from management. Counter to this Hanus states that our generation is loyal to our employers.
Furthermore, Brittany made A-B Honor Roll on her most recent report card. Having a positive relationship is critical to the success of students with emotional and behavioral disorders because it provide them student with a more beneficial learning experience. Students are also more likely to reciprocate these positive actions, which leads to their success in the classroom. Trisha, a twelve-year old seventh grader, struggles with an emotional disorder (Kirk, Gallagher, & Coleman, 2015).
When teachers are culturally competent and responsive they understand the significance of relationships. Building relationships even with the students who work on your nerves the most matters. Teacher/Student relationships become a core piece to the foundation of many learners because it gives them the ability to grow respect but also passion for their own learning. When I am teaching I always stress the importance of building relationships first even if it is for a day because the minute I show my student they can trust me and that I respect them is the moment where they learn the most. That sixty second impression is everything for most people so make it count in your classroom as well.
Chapter-3 “One Child” by Torey Hayden One Child is a novel by American author and psychologist Torey Hayden. It was first published in the United States in 1980. This book has been translated into 27 languages and dramatized as an interactive opera. In 1994, the story was adapted as a made-for-television movie on ‘Lifetime’, entitled "Untamed Love" and starring Cathy Lee Crosby. In reading the book, One Child, it was a great source of inspiration for many people, especially those who may want to become special education teachers.