A strategy is a plan of action.  When a goal is set, it is wise to develop a strategy to accomplish that goal.  What is interesting to watch is the inevitable clash of strategies that occur between teacher and pupil.  As a first-grade teacher, I am constantly reminded that such a conflict will and always does occur as new first graders come into my class.

    I usually have quite a few parent conferences at the beginning of school as I try to help parents understand this match of wits between gifted children and an experienced teacher who is “older than dirt” (as I often tell my students).  I love the look of enlightenment as a parent begins to understand my strategy for helping his/her child to become responsible, independent, respectful and successful in school.  I am not “out to get a child.”  And I am not “gathering teacher pets” who can do no wrong. (These are often what students use as excuses when they do not desire to meet my challenges.)

    I use scholar dollars to monitor behavior.  This strategy allows me to reward growth and effort towards a goal of being a responsible and successful student.  It also allows me to teach students the value of saving for something they desire, as well as helping them to understand that choosing to break a rule always carries a consequence.  Our entire elementary school is using this strategy so we can be very consistent in monitoring student behaviors.  I love the term one of my teachers uses: “level up kids!”  Achieving the next higher level is a wonderful and easily attainable goal.

    The secondary grades are benefiting from Mrs. Smith’s strategy of credit scores.  She and her staff are giving the students an honest look at how “real life” works.  These students earn Gold and Platinum cards which afford them some extra privileges.  Those who do not keep good credit scores miss out on extra-curricular activities.  This is certainly like real life when adults can no longer use their credit scores to attain new purchases, etc.

    Every once in a while, I meet a student who is so determined to have his/her way, that I cannot find anything to motivate him/her toward positive goals.  Luckily for me, our family owns this private school, and can, therefore, remove such children when they disrupt the learning process.  I do feel sorry for teachers in public schools who do not have that option and must constantly battle against such a disruptive child. I didn’t believe it before but have learned over the years that unfortunately “one bad apple can ruin the bunch.”

    Let me close this blog on a positive note.  I’ve had the best “first day of school” in my 50+ years of teaching this year.  Having already spoken to a few parents, I am finding many of them are using a strategy with their children very similar to mine.  Isn’t it refreshing when great minds agree! (Ha!)

-        Kay