Parents have a difficult job, but teachers struggle, too. With behavioral issues among children on the rise, how do teachers manage their classrooms so kids behave well and learn productively? How do teachers avoid “burn out” in an increasingly stressful environment? Dr. Marcie Beigel has written a book to help teachers improve their methods not just for the sake of their students, but so they can regain enthusiasm for the job. Her ideas for change go beyond the classroom and can also be used in the home environment.
“LOVE YOUR CLASSROOM AGAIN (Realistic Behavior Strategies for Educators),” Behavior and Beyond Publishers 2016, ISBN 978-0-692-77001-6, 220 pages, discusses issues facing teachers of pre-K through second grade students. The book is divided into three main sections: “Speak with Purpose, Words Matter,” “Do More, Actions Count,” and “Choose Honey, Perspective is Powerful.” Each of these sections has seven to eight potential behavioral concerns with concrete ideas on how to handle them. The final part of the book focuses on combining all of Dr. Beigel’s strategies and concludes with a section on how to make positive changes last. School principals and an educational co-ordinator comment throughout.
Dr. Beigel emphasizes the importance of choosing words with care when communicating with children. Speaking with honesty and specificity will create an atmosphere of trust. Teachers can then determine the function (reason) behind the poor behavior (hitting, interrupting, lack of independence, etc.) and come up with strategies to correct the behavior. These strategies should be precisely conveyed. Well-thought-out words combined with consistent action make a difference, particularly when teachers are proactive and not reactive.
The author realizes teachers can become discouraged, but optimistic thinking works wonders. Teachers should understand change takes time. Every child is unique, and strategies must be individualized; if a strategy doesn’t work, re-evaluate and try again. Teachers (and parents) are more likely to steer kids in a better direction if they act calmly and model good behavior themselves.
Marcie Beigel earned her Doctorate in Education from Columbia University in 1998 and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has worked with thousands of families/children over the years and says: “It has been such an honor to know so many families!” Beigel wrote the book out of a concern that teachers are trained solely on what to teach and not about the use of simple behavioral modifications that encourage kids to sit still and listen. Beigel also considers the parent-teacher relationship critical; parents and teachers should try to work together rather than complain about one another.
Although Beigel wrote “Love Your Classroom Again” primarily for teachers, the book’s practical examples and solutions would be useful in the home environment. “Love Your Classroom Again” sets forth every day, real life problems that all parents deal with and gives a rational, step-by-step approach to tackling them. How many parents have been wildly inconsistent, spoken to their children without thinking or shrieked: “Why did you do that?” (Include me in that group!) Dr. Beigel encourages us all to take a step back, evaluate, strategize, and re-strategize. She considers both teachers and parents to be educators and says: “While the examples in the book are from within classrooms … the exact same challenges can be seen in homes.” Parents can tweak the step-by-step solutions in the book for use at home. In addition, struggling teachers often turn to parents to find solutions, and this book will help parents “be the best advocates they can for their family.”
Dr. Beigel is currently working on another book written specifically for families. In the meantime, both teachers and parents will find “Love Your Classroom Again” useful. This wonderful book is practical, solution oriented and respects the challenges adults face while trying to raise and educate our children.
This article was published in The Jewish Advocate on December 23, 2016.
