WEBVTT

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[Music] Welcome to the overview
on Reducing Behavior Problems

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in the Elementary School Classroom
Through Collaborative Relationships.

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Everyone in the teacher's lounge is 
edgy and exhausted after dealing

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with the daily stresses
of teaching while trying to cope

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with constant disruptions
from unruly students.

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Ms. Morita doesn't know how
to handle all the misbehavior

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in her classroom and doesn't know
who to turn to for help.

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Ms. Russell knows quite a few ways
to deal with behavior problems

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but feels isolated and unsupported
in her efforts by the school at large.

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Even though the lounge is full
of educators, all of them feel alone.

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While student behavior
and academic performance go hand

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in hand, many teachers do not have
sufficient opportunities to collaborate

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on addressing behavioral issues.

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When teachers are able to 
work with colleagues, parents,

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and district specialists
to address behavior issues,

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they are better equipped to deal
with those issues.

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As teachers share effective strategies
and discuss what is happening

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in their classrooms,
a more unified approach

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to classroom management can develop.

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This unified, schoolwide approach
provides consistency and stability

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for students and can increase 
time spent on instruction.

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Schools can facilitate 
collaboration in a number of ways.

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By selecting experienced staff to 
serve as peer coaches and mentors,

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a school can provide a clear
and consistent source of support

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for its teaching staff.

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These coaches can observe their
colleagues and provide constructive

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feedback on ways
to enhance classroom management.

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The school needs to ensure
that these coaches

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and mentors are properly trained
in supporting adult learners.

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Further, the school schedule can be
adjusted so teachers can spend time

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with the coach discussing feedback.

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Schools can also organize teachers
into collaborative teaching teams

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and provide them
with regular time to meet.

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Such teams give teachers the 
chance to openly reflect

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on behavior management challenges they
are experiencing in their classes,

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specific students who are 
particularly troubling,

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and actionable steps that can 
be taken to help the situation.

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Principals can also share information
with teachers to help them understand

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school policy issues on behavior.

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Teachers can also work closely
with behavior specialists,

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such as school psychologists,
counselors, district personnel,

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and experts from the local 
community or university.

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These behavior experts can help identify
which research-based strategies are

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relevant to each situation and how
to adapt them as necessary

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to meet individual student, whole 
classroom, or even schoolwide needs.

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Behavioral specialists can offer
technical assistance

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and monitor implementation in order
to identify areas for improvement

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or ways to adjust strategies
to make them more effective.

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Specialists can draw attention
to things a teacher might miss while

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immersed in the daily routine
of the class.

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Conversely, the teacher can bring
perspective to the expert's

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observations, giving a historical
context to any particular incident.

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Together, teacher and specialist 
can forge a more comprehensive picture

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of what is happening in the classroom 
and how to implement positive strategies

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for improvement.

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Close collaboration with 
families is useful

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for addressing all student issues
but is especially important for students

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with special needs.

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Parents' active cooperation
and involvement can yield improved

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student behavior
and academic performance.

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However, old resentments or 
suspicions from their own days

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in school can make some families
resistant to collaboration.

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a proactive and welcoming approach,
including friendly emails, notes,

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invitations to school functions
and conferences,

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and other contact points 
can build a good foundation

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between the school and family.

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Explaining behavior expectations
in the classroom and asking parents

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for their input on how
to encourage positive behavior

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strengthens their sense 
of involvement.

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Families can even be encouraged
to maintain classroom behavior

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standards in the home.

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Prior to parent conferences,
teachers can review the student records

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to see if any life events may have
contributed to behavior issues.

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This understanding of a family's 
situation can be a great

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help in building collaboration.

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Keep things positive, pointing 
out at least three behavioral

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and academic strengths the student has
displayed before addressing one

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or two key problems.

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Talk about the nature of the 
incidents and their frequency,

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as well as what strategies have been
used to try to resolve them.

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ask the family for help in dealing

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with these behavioral problems.

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Conferences should be
about finding solutions together,

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not just informing parents of problems.

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Teachers may want to provide families
with information on additional school

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or community resources,
such as intervention services

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or parent education programs.

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Schools and districts can help
by making vital resources available.

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District contributions could involve
personnel, such as interpreters

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or family advocates, or 
technological tools, like a database

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of management strategies, lesson plans,
and curriculum modifications

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that have proven useful in the past.

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School administrators can foster a
culture of collaboration by working

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with teachers, experts, and 
families to ensure that the time

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and resources are available to meet
and find solutions.

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The teacher's lounge isn't full 
of exhausted people any more.

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Ms. Morita talks to Ms. Russell
about her meeting

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with the behavior specialist while other
teachers use laptops provided for them

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to search the district's
resource database.

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The principal has adjusted the school
schedule and set aside time for teachers

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to work together on a regular basis.

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at this school, the teachers 
now feel supported

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as they work to help their students both
behaviorally and academically.

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To learn more about Reducing Behavior
Problems in the Elementary School

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Classroom Through Collaborative
Relationships,

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please explore the additional resources
on the Doing What Works website.