Our high school began the implementation process this past summer to introduce Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) to our high school. We were lucky to have a few teachers and administrators that had some experience with PBIS at other schools.
We were looking at reducing discipline issues in the school, improving the school climate for teachers, staff, and students, as well as having those struggling with academics get back on track.
We identified students that were in need and at the same time went about getting a team buy in from the students so that implementation would be easy. We had guest speakers, trips to businesses, as well as reward days. All of these assisted our students and staff in believing we could have a better place both to learn and to work.
As a member of the PBIS team, I felt as though we were unified at every corner. We looked for innovative ways to work with those students that were having difficulty. The most telling sign was the fact that we reduced the number of classroom incidents and that students were finally getting that it was ok to disagree with a teacher and to learn that there are productive and alternate means to solve a disagreement. Office referrals were down as well as suspensions.
All in all I see a more productive student body that is now willing and able to take responsibility for their own actions...
In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment