A group of dedicated educators gather each week to discuss best practices & designing the school of the future. @yankee_todd is a third year principal of the middle school in San Antonio. #neisdpln is an amazing hour each Monday night at 7:30 central time.
A1: every year is different. Individual points to earn free incentives, class points to eat in class or gain more free incentives. Positive calls/pics sent home. #neisdpln
You have to know your kids, but also know what you can and will accept. Everyone is different in regards to what they will let go. The more consistent you are, the easier time your kids will have. There will always be some non-negotionalbles. Clearly articulate those. #neisdpln
A1 we have class meeting at the end of every day to reflect on behavior for the day discussing what went great and where might we need to improve. I let the sts lead the discussion. Everyday is a new day mentality, always reinforce desired behavior. #neisdpln
A1 Agreed that we should start fresh everyday. I like to give tickets out & sts earn a QR reward. Positive emails home, and also just telling the kids #neisdpln
Are you talking about the kids or the teachers? Hehehe. #neisdpln with time being so limited, my peeve is being distracted. Kids can learn so much if they even pay half attention. They are already so smart that it doesn't take too much focus for them to get it.
A1: I think the key to developing/implementing positive management is being positive and leaving the baggage at the door. It's amazing what a teacher's vibes can do to a class. #neisdpln
A3- safety issues are my breaking point. If the behavior caused a student to get hurt then there needs to be more follow up than just me and the student.#neisdpln
It makes me want to scream when some of my favorite classroom items are broken or not respected. I want everyone to enjoy the things we have but hope that my things are valuable to everyone #neisdpln
It makes me want to scream when some of my favorite classroom items are broken or not respected. I want everyone to enjoy the things we have but hope that my things are valuable to everyone #neisdpln
A4: talking with students, letting them know Iām there to help if/when needed, allowing them to take a break if necessary. Again, relationships are key #neisdpln
A1: I use Conscious Discipline in my class, and we recite our classroom commitments every day as part of our morning meeting. They are expectations in the class, and I end it with telling them my job is to keep you safe, and your Kid is to help me do that. #neisdpln
A5: look to connect that child with a caring adult who is non judgmental and is a good listener. I did yhat this week and witnessed an angry kid open up to a caring adult! #neisdpln
Kill me with kindness each and everyday. There's a reason why they are that way, you have to overcome that. #neisdpln you have to help them see a glimmer of hope and happiness.
A3: I've always viewed write-ups as "I've exhausted all of my resources and steps in my disciplinary plan". "Is anyone in physical or emotional danger?" "What does this child need?" These are what go through my head. #neisdpln
Kill me with kindness each and everyday. There's a reason why they are that way, you have to overcome that. #neisdpln you have to help them see a glimmer of hope and happiness.
A4: Check in with them without overwhelming them with your presence. I know sometimes when Iām angry I just want space and other times a hug is comforting. #neisdpln
A5: validating they are allowed to be frustrated/angry, giving them replacement behaviors for being reactive/disrespectful, always showing them the importance of respect in return #neisdpln
A5: I let the students know that since I treat them with respect, that is what I expect in return. I model the behavior I want my students to show. Ex: calling them maāam/sir, using manners with them, etc. #neisdpln
I share with them that I have never intentionally disrespected them or their family. If we want to continue working towards a solution we must respect each other. Also I tell them that they don't have to like me the way I like them. We have to have some common ground. #neisdpln
A5- disrespect is usually where I see students seeking negative attention. It's a sign to build that relationship and not react so they have to get attention differently. #neisdpln
Earn their respect by making investments into them all the time. Positive home visits are HUGE!!!!!!!! Allow you to make withdrawals later on. #neisdpln
A5 sometimes our students donāt know what disrespect looks like/donāt know their body language or tone is disrespectful. Show them what respect looks/sounds like!#neisdpln
A5- disrespect is usually where I see students seeking negative attention. It's a sign to build that relationship and not react so they have to get attention differently. #neisdpln
A4: Check in with them without overwhelming them with your presence. I know sometimes when Iām angry I just want space and other times a hug is comforting. #neisdpln
Q6: knowing that st well will give insight, learn them & what makes them tick, each kid is different, give them a break or time away to calm down, be proactive & have systems/support #neisdpln
A6: look on their face changes, different attitude or no expression, fists clenched. Try to be proactive and have private convo and give them space and validate feelings..gotten better at Thai through the years. Sadly. #neisdpln
A3-6: All of the strategies mentioned are awesome and necessary. The one thing I do pretty early in the game is communicate with the parents/guardians. Open up the lines of communication and make it ongoing. Speak with admin and create a plan. #neisdpln
Q5. Model respect. Set clear expectations and provide explicit instruction in the replacement behaviors. Stay committed and consistent for as long as it takes. #neisdpln
Q5 Try not to take it personally. I know, itās hard!! Sometimes ignoring it at the time, and talk to them in private later to let them know that they were disrespectful. #neisdpln
Q6: knowing that st well will give insight, learn them & what makes them tick, each kid is different, give them a break or time away to calm down, be proactive & have systems/support #neisdpln
A6 Distract immediately! Example, today a kid was not listening and was on the iPad while he wasnāt suppose to be, we asked several times to stop and of course did not listen... I said can you practice counting to 100 with your hands on you knees and boom š„ #neisdpln
Q5 Try not to take it personally. I know, itās hard!! Sometimes ignoring it at the time, and talk to them in private later to let them know that they were disrespectful. #neisdpln
Each kid has their own signs. You have to become a child whisperer. I've shared the following with my staff: "A master teacher becomes a student of her students." Get to know them inside and out. #neisdpln
The difference between discipline and punishment. #neisdpln. At West Avenue we can write the book on that. Our kids need discipline. They have enough punishment in their home lives and hard situations. #neisdpln
A7: making time to connect with them one on one, show interest in what they like, letting your guard down & not being afraid to laugh with them once in a while, relate to them anyway possible #neisdpln
A4: Our feeling good buddies curriculum is amazing! We talk every day about being a STAR (stop, take a breath, and relax). It gives them words for their feelings, and an intentional way to use our safe spot(cool down area) in our room. #neisdpln
A6- my littlea can be pretty obvious with louder voices, crying, stomping, etc. Using Feeling Buddies curriculum that has rhymes to practice stopping to breathe. #neisdpln
The difference between discipline and punishment. #neisdpln. At West Avenue we can write the book on that. Our kids need discipline. They have enough punishment in their home lives and hard situations. #neisdpln
Connect on any level. I encourage teachers to play with kids. They need to see that you are human before they feel they can trust you. Play is the great equalizer. #neisdpln
A5- disrespect is usually where I see students seeking negative attention. It's a sign to build that relationship and not react so they have to get attention differently. #neisdpln
A6. Depends on the student - this is why knowing our kids is so important. We have to help them recognize when they are getting upset so they can apply replacement behaviors. As adults, dislike the behavior but love the kid. #neisdpln
At West Avenue, unfortunately, we deal with this on a daily basis. Our teachers are better than the average bear. They care so much to help our kids. #neisdpln
A6: Each of kids signs are different. I notice face contortions, head down, instant tears, and repeating the same phrase. Some I distract, some I comfort, and some I have go take a breather. #neisdpln
A8: taking a break from the kids too, send them to help a teacher, send them to run an errand, and most imp donāt get so caught up in yourself. At the end of the day they are kids, you are the adult, we need to just chill some days #neisdpln
A5: I always try to keep my composure in the situation!! But, I try to reiterate that we are a school family, and part of that is being nice to each other. Usually it is an outcry for attention, so I will find a time to give them some 1 on 1. #neisdpln
Q8: Take yourself to your "Happy Place" for a quick second. Look at your desktop of the beach, your family picture on your desk, look out your window....and then realize your in a room with other people's children! Snap out of it and be positive! #neisdpln
A8 Iāll step away. Take deep breaths like I tell my kids. Glance towards @carenjsimon, if sheās in the room, make a face, and then we will both laugh under our breath. #neisdpln
Q8: Take yourself to your "Happy Place" for a quick second. Look at your desktop of the beach, your family picture on your desk, look out your window....and then realize your in a room with other people's children! Snap out of it and be positive! #neisdpln
A7: Spending time getting to know them and discussing things that interests them. A big thing I learned this year was donāt give up when they donāt respond to you right away #neisdpln
Discipline is teaching the child what is wrong with what they did and showing them how to make a better decision next time. It's a test in patience. The student learns even if the teacher doesn't get what they want. Punishment is a lose-lose. #neisdpln We put kids first.
The difference between discipline and punishment. #neisdpln. At West Avenue we can write the book on that. Our kids need discipline. They have enough punishment in their home lives and hard situations. #neisdpln
A6: i always try to watch for shallow chest breathing. Thatās a clear sign a storm is brewing. This is when I know itās time to let them know to go to the safe spot before āanger gets ahold of themā #neisdpln
That was so fast and furious, I will have to go back and read all the great responses I missed ! Favorite movie probably A Christmas Movie bc it was my dad's favorite #neisdpln
A7: Spending time getting to know them and discussing things that interests them. A big thing I learned this year was donāt give up when they donāt respond to you right away #neisdpln
A7: TBH... This made me tear up a bit. The best way to make connections is eye contact. First thing I do when the kids come in the room is make sure they get some sort of connection with me. I say hand shake, hi 5, or hug, but we have some up with a few new ones too!! #neisdpln
A8: I remind myself that it isnāt personal. Even if a child is directing their anger at me at the moment there is usually a lot more to the outburst. #neisdpln
A7- keep showing up for them
A tough kid is gonna watch for us to overreact or be inconsistent. Every day a smile and offer of interaction adds up over time. #neisdpln
