TEN to ONE

10-1

Susan Isaacs is a presenter for the Safe & Civil Schools program developed by Richard Sprick. I am usually not much of a name-dropper but the NWABSD laid out an awful lot of money for this gal to come from the bluegrass of Kentucky to the blueberries of Kotzebue and talk to us about the psychology and practice of behavior management in challenging schools.

Mrs. Isaacs spent 2 days last week feeding the new teachers data, statistics and personal examples to back her claim to fame as a disciplinarian that gives expectations and gets things done. When the entire staff was flown in for District wide in-service, she was still there preaching her message of positive interactions with students. The “powers that be” ate it up and I want to keep my job so I, too, will be throwing that CHAMPS poster up and clamping down on misbehavior.

One strategy discussed this week is used all over academia. She talked to us about having a 3-1 ratio of student interactions. The basic premise is, three positive reinforcements of catching and acknowledging good behavior before responding negatively towards one corrective behavior. You don’t have to be a scholar to know that most children respond better to praise.

Susan Isaacs preached on and I scribbled my notes.

Thursday I let this blog be therapy for the peaks and valleys that is my emotional state of flux. I got a little emotional and penned a sentimental essay about shedding a few tears and the situations that sucked those drops from my eyes.  I shared a couple of Happy Snappys complete with the back-story. I wrote from the top of my head and the bottom of my heart. Most good stuff comes from those two places.

With the time difference, the next morning held an email waiting for me. Momma Bear acknowledged my blog post.  She may have complimented my story line.  Perhaps, hinted towards an appreciation of my feelings – BUT very specifically she set new guidelines…

I’m not allowed to write sappy shit all the time!

10-1

10- Positive, jovial, explanatory writings before I’m allowed ONE sentimental, tear jerking, taste of honesty.

And since Michele is the “Powers that Be” in my life, - I’ve got 9 more positive ones to go.

Lv u 5

Oh yeah, while chucking rocks across the south channel this afternoon with a few kids, we spotted two seals playing around in the surf current.

Crystal clear day, high visibility made it easy to see barges at the mine and the mountains on the east horizon. Water was calm. Sun was shining. People out and about. It was a good day.