Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Catch More Bees With Honey

When I was growing up, my mother always taught me to be kind, compassionate and considerate toward people. She would tell me that positive approaches to situations and people would always yield a more positive outcome. As I observe folks in "challenging" schools with "challenging" students, I noticed that the responses are generally either punitive, negative, pessimistic, disparaging, antagonistic or adversarial. I would like to encourage anyone who works in any capacity with challenging situations or people (students and adults alike) to consider using positive conversations, accountable talk, reward systems and alternative behavior modification strategies to support a person's change in behavior while developing their academic, social and emotional skills in the process. Although I understand that there are actions for which students should be suspended, for example; I also know that suspension doesn't necessarily improve behavior and research shows that children of color (African American and Latino) have higher incidences of suspensions and expulsions than their white counterparts. I have observed adults who yell or speak harshly to children. Is this everyone? Of course not! I would like to ask those who have learned to strike a balance between love, fairness and clear expectations and rules, norms, management and discipline; to share these strategies with others. Even children/adults who appear to be disengaged, disrespectful or disruptive...want to be treated in a professional manner. I truly believe my mother's advice...You CAN Catch More Bees With Honey!