I love the idea that the text mentions ways that students can manage their own behaviors using specific interventions. It is so important that students take accountability for their learning outcomes. Teaching students self-discipline is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow upon them. It was also great that the text mentioned the gamut of possibilities for a combination of behavioral challenges. Too often, teachers are faced with a combination of behavioral issues with which we are unequipped to deal. Luckily, I have not had this experience in my student teaching, but, I can say that I have seen students within the school that appear to exhibit a variety of challenging behaviors, and we, as educators, are responsible for evaluating and find the interrelatedness of these behaviors. Equipping teachers with the strategies for responding to, or even preventing these behaviors could make all the difference.
Being descriptive of instances when the student exhibits undesirable, challenging behavior is also key in responding effectively. Having the ability to describe the characteristics of the student’s behavior without an umbrella label if far more useful than stating that the student is “bad” or “always off task”. Observing certain situations and instances when the student is more likely to be off task is far more beneficial in helping curb the behavior and implement interventions at appropriate times.
Setting clear expectations and being consistent with them has negated what I feel could have been significant behavioral challenges in my placement. From the first day of school students have been constantly made aware of the expectations and rules for being a member of our school community. Reinforcing positive behavior goes a long way when it comes to changing challenging behaviors. As stated before, I have not had much of an encounter with significant behavioral issues, but, I believe that when students can take accountability for their own learning, their behavior oftentimes follows.
