Philosophy
I have been teaching in the area of special education, focusing on Emotional Impairments, for many years. As an educator, I find that I am highly skilled in the area of behavior modification. I believe that through a cognitive behavior approach to behavior, that misbehavior has a purpose or a function. In order to correct the inappropriate behavior, we have to identify the purpose of the behavior. The question I ask myself is, "How does this behavior meet the student's needs?" When I have identified the purpose of the behavior, I begin retraining the students how to think about their feelings and reactions to normal situations. I do this through positive reinforcement of prosocial skills identified in the Boys and Girls Town Social Skills Curriculum. The Boys and Girls Town Curriculum focuses on training students using a step by step process for each prosocial skill. For example, if I had a problem following directions, Boys Town breaks down the steps of following directions into 4 steps: 1. Look at the persom. 2. Say OK. 3. Do what's been asked. 4. Right away.
I have used this educational model for many years, and found great success in the modification of student behavior. I also incorporate into my philosophy of education theories from Restorative Discipline. Restorative Discipline focuses on relationships, and healing damage done as a result of experiences or actions of the students. I completed my master's thesis on incorporating restorative practices in a school setting, and have found the restorative practices essential in the classroom.
For more information on:
Boys and Girls Town Educational Model:
http://www.boystown.org/educators/education-model
Restorative Discipline:
http://www.restorativejustice.org/
I have used this educational model for many years, and found great success in the modification of student behavior. I also incorporate into my philosophy of education theories from Restorative Discipline. Restorative Discipline focuses on relationships, and healing damage done as a result of experiences or actions of the students. I completed my master's thesis on incorporating restorative practices in a school setting, and have found the restorative practices essential in the classroom.
For more information on:
Boys and Girls Town Educational Model:
http://www.boystown.org/educators/education-model
Restorative Discipline:
http://www.restorativejustice.org/