Chris Garland is an awesome teacher!

We all know that humans are creatures of habit. Kids especially thrive in solid, structured routines. How can we provide that predictability when there is so much uncertainty, blended learning environments, and other unpredictable factors in our world?

Dr. JESSICA DJABRAYAN HANNIGAN, is a professor of educational leadership at California State University, Fresno. She has published numerous books on implementing effective behavior/SEL systems in schools, such as the PBIS Handbook series, Building Behavior, Don't Suspend Me, Behavior Solutions, MTSS Start-Up Guide and SEL From A Distance.

When you here the word “diagnosis” or “diagnostics”, we usually don’t think about teachers. Yet teachers are constantly making assessments and “diagnoses” about students’ performance in school. Perhaps we need to pay closer attention to the process of learning to help diagnose student struggles so we can provide more effective intervention. Learn more at www.ClasStars.com

As the new year begins, teachers are tasked with the responsibility to help children transition back from quarantine to a “new normal”. There is so much uncertainty about the future, frustration about the past, and it is to be expected that many students will struggle getting back to school. Teachers are also required to catch kids up on material that was missed last year, and teach everything that is in this year’s curriculum. Sounds exciting? The key is to recognize that effective learning takes place on a foundation of social and emotional wellbeing. It is important to validate the children’s struggle and provide support. Listen to this episode to hear more.

This is a conversation that I had right before schools began to close because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. September is National Attendance Awareness Month, and who better to talk to about it than Hedy Chang. Hedy is the Founder and Executive Director if Attendance Works, whose mission is to advance student success and help close equity gaps by reducing chronic absence. They advocate for better policy and practices around school attendance at the federal, state, and local levels. They also partner with families and community agencies to intervene as soon as poor attendance becomes a problem for children or particular schools. Learn more at https://www.attendanceworks.org/

What is the greatest power of a teacher? It’s the ability to look into the eyes of a child and let them know that you believe in them! More than anything, our students need our approval! ClasStars helps teachers know that they are doing this with each and every one of their students! Download ClasStars from the App Store of your tablet device! Also, you c an join the Teaching with Positivity Facebook Group, for more discussion and support with ClasStars! https://www.facebook.com/groups/760819511388085/?ref=share

I just started a new Facebook group for passionate teachers who want to try the ClasStars app and who want their teaching to be positive oriented. You’re welcome to join and find out more about it! https://www.facebook.com/groups/760819511388085/?ref=share

It would be great if kids who needed help would always just ask us for help. Anyone who had been a teacher for more than a few hours knows that often kids struggle to reach out for help, but if you listen carefully, they express their struggles in many ways. Very often their misbehaviors are a call for help. By adopting a mindset that every misbehavior is a request for support, you will quickly develop a habit to respond to misbehaviors with support and encouragement. Built on research, we suggest that children should get at least 3X as many compliments or encouragements as criticism! ClasStars makes it really easy to keep track of that! Download the free app and start learning how to use it with the demo class today!