Build bridges rather than walls.

Your words and your attitude count. You can help a child build bridges to a better future with your encouragement and your support. That is the constant goal to keep in the back of your mind at all times. The alternative occurs when students do not have people to believe in them, or people who give up on them. Those are the students that put up walls and pretty soon, nothing comes in….no learning, and nothing you say. It takes a very long time to tear those walls down. They have to come down wall by wall, piece by piece. You may have some of those students in your class. Know that you CAN help tear those walls down with your support and encouragement.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Greet and read.

The first and most important strategy to use each day is to “greet and read” each student when they enter the classroom. If you see a student is coming in angry and upset, set a time to meet with the student later to talk. Just you being compassionate and caring when a student is upset, goes a long way to help ease the troubled mood. It’s like when you are upset and a friend is there for you, someone who acknowledges how you are feeling.

Have an awesome day.

Maryln

Are students with special needs abused in schools?

Last week, my son Marty, shared an article from CNN about abuse in schools with me. I was appalled. It told the story of a 7-year old boy that was left in an isolation cubicle for at least 2 and ½ hours. He was taunted while he was in the cubicle. He had nothing but a magic marker and he used it to scrawl all over himself – his entire body including his clothes, face, arms, and eyelids. The same article talked about the good that some school districts are doing with students with special needs. I want to know your opinion so I have launched a new survey at www.atiseminars.org for you to make your voice heard about this important matter. Are we doing enough to serve children of all ages with special needs?

It is my opinion that children with special needs need extra help. I don’t believe that punishment and isolation are effective. Instead, they need to learn new skills to help them succeed more in life. They need to be nurtured, and to have the very best within each of them brought forth. I have seen this happen over and over again. They may never be able to function like the so called “normals” in this world, but they deserve a chance, and they all need someone to believe in them, and that’s where you come in big time. You are a difference maker.

Have an awesome day.

Maryln

P.S. The CNN article is found at: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/18/siu.schools.abuse/index.html

Move near students who have a tough time paying attention.

An easy strategy for helping students pay attention is proximity control. If you see a student who is starting to lose focus, walk up to the student as you talk and simply stand near the student. Just having you stand near, can help a student get back on task.

Have an awesome day.

Maryln