Well Denise, Dale and I went to visit Aspen Elem. School on Friday. They are the only Quality School in our area. It was so exciting to see CT used in every classroom. We were struck by how active and yet quite the 550 student body was.
We loved the consistency of the the posters in the rooms and how well the kids were able to problem solve. In fact the greatest advantage of students coming out of a CT school is the conflict resolution that they learn to implement.
We visited 2 classrooms that were holding Class Meetings. One meeting was taking place because the teacher had a sub and the kids had been disrespectful and too rowdy. We watched this 4th grade classroom discuss the problem without using any one's name and come up with a plan to correct the problem. A traditional classroom would have looked very different. The students would have been "chewed out." They would have felt bad, but it may not change the behavior the next time around. The way the class meeting went, all the students understood their role in the disruption and took ownership of the event. One young man remarked, " I was looking around and I thought this just isn't us. What class is this?"
We also observed a 3rd grade class as they celebrated together, discussed previous problems that the students had, such as bus problems and pushing in line. They brainstormed solutions for students to try. They brought up current issues and closed with compliment time. It was terrific to see students interacting in such a way. The teacher really encouraged students to talk to person that was bothering them, or find a solution other than tattling to correct it first. If nothing else worked to go to an adult.
We also talked with some parents who started a Parent Academy to educate parents about Choice Theory in the hope that it would be followed at home as well. These mom's were working on their Advanced Practicum. I was very impressed. They were so excited to learn all about the program and help others to understand it as well.
One of things that struck me the most was that the Aspen students are the most respectful students that enter into the middle school. They are also noted for having the most problem solving skills and are reported to be the leaders in the middle school. Another interesting fact is that they have the largest number of students that get into the GT program. Every year the middle school staff thinks something went wrong with the testing or that is a fluke. And yet every year they get the same results. HMMM, something must be working!
Personally, I was the most impressed with how happy and excited all the people in the school were. Everyone reported how they loved coming to work everyday. They sold me. If I had an elementary license, I would want to work there! They were encouraged that we wanted our school to be a Quality School and were eager to develop a partnership with us.
My desire is for NS students to have the reputation for being the leaders, the most respectful students and the best problem solvers when they go to AHS. We have a lot of work cut out for us, but, I can see this happening! Now how do we get all of NSMS on board? To dream a dream.
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I believe it really helps to see what you are trying to do put into action. These ideas really do work! You will probably not be successful in getting all the teachers on board, at least not initially, but that is all right. You work with the ones who are ready and go from there. Remember, whose behavior can you control? All you can do is create a need-satisfying environment for the other teachers so they will at least hear you. The question you should be asking is how can I build positive, quality relationships with the other teachers.
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