Drummond discussing September Talks Building Positive Relationships

After reading the articles and listening to the video by Rita Pierson from this summer PD, I decided to make it a priority to involve my students in the classroom behavior contract.  I had them share how they wanted to be treated and how to treat others etc.  I composed a consolidated positive list of behaviors no NO or Don't words and have hung it at the front of my room.  I make it a priority to greet every student at the door and have them engage with me in the Target language I teach (Spanish).  I focus on the soft skills (eye contact, clear voice, engaging with body, etc.).  I also started something new here that I have done before and that is a Praise and concern  journal that I get the students to give input for and can write in.  Some of the concerns and praises are: Hurricane victims, Wild fire victims in California, A new family adopting a child in dance program.  A sick animal in a family that is recovering from surgery.  I also share my personal stories about when I was a student of Spanish and challenges I had as well as stories about my children and my goals and outings such as training for a marathon, mountain bike riding with my family.  I do High Fives or handshakes too and that physical touch does make an impact.  After my experience as a teacher over several years, the old adage is SO TRUE:  Nobody cares how much you know until they know HOW MUCH YOU CARE.