1. Classroom Culture Promoting Deeper Learning

2. Recent Events Baltimore Ferguson N. Charleston Various ‘brutality’

3. Non-Force Miami Miami-Dade Unknown

4. Why We’re Here “The culture of an organization is solidified in the training (formal and informal) process of its members.” -- Trevor Allen

5. Why We Care “A learning environment will happen, whether intentional or not…so why not go about building a positive environment, intentionally.” --Rodrick Lucero, Colorado State University

6. Why We Care, Cont. Many leaders in law enforcement would agree that a police officer’s duties have evolved from enforcer of laws to a problem solver in the community. Using more scenarios as problem-solving devices relates academy learning with police work and appeals to the cadets desire to become a police officer.

7. What is Classroom Culture? An environment which promotes positive student learning experiences, comfort with participation, critical thinking, and a desire to explore topics at a deeper level

8. What is your role? Deeper learning necessitates deeper teaching Be ready and willing to facilitate inquiries Make learning relevant and meaningful Develop creative ways of thinking about the information Be ready to accept students’ own experiences as they relate to the lessons Choose instructors that exhibit enthusiasm and a positive attitude You just may learn something yourself!

9. How does this fit in Para-Military Style Classrooms? Attributes of this type of classroom: fear of authorities rigorous inflexible schedules an “us vs. them” mentality focus on physical prowess = perceived feeling of inability to meaningfully contribute You can still maintain discipline and order while facilitating a positive environment!

10. Currently in the BLET CMG The CMG does recognize the need for: meaningful experiences that bolster confidence and self-esteem. feedback and positive reinforcement active participation problem-centered learning experiences This is not a new concept! We should be employing these tactics consistently.

11. Hot Button Topics These can be uncomfortable. However, these topics are the ones most worthy of lively discussion! Major events: Ferguson, Freddie Gray, N. Charleston There is a difference between telling a class that these events happened, were unfortunate, and officers need to be aware of the consequences of their actions, and allowing the discussion to evolve into climate and culture of those two departments, the events leading up to incidents, and working through facets of each scenario could have been handled differently.

12. What Can be Gained? Dialogue regarding law enforcement topics will naturally come back to community perception, biases, and cultures A deeper understanding of cultural awareness is one major trait of an officer who is able to make sound independent judgement calls Even learning content from less abstract blocks such as Controlled Substances and Patrol Techniques can benefit from positive classroom culture

13. Balancing Act We need to achieve high pass rates but we also need to maintain flexible teaching methods. Students are more engaged in learning and retain knowledge better when they see that it is relevant and vital to their own success. Instructors cannot focus simply on “teaching the test.”

14. Style and Personality There is no substitute for a physically vital and enthusiastic delivery of the presentation! Zig Ziglar Lou Holtz Mayor Pappas Dr. Martin Luther King Jim Valvano

15. References Seven Strategies for Building Positive Classrooms;” Educational Leadership. Carol Gerber Allred, 2008. Preparing a Classroom Culture for Deeper Learning; edutopia. www.edutopia.org.; Elizabeth Garcia, March 12, 2015.www.edutopia.org Police Recruit Training; FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, August 2009, as referenced in “Law Enforcement Recruit Training at the State Level: An Evaluation,”; Police Quarterly 3, (2000).

16. References, Cont. Basic Law Enforcement Training Course Management Guide; North Carolina Justice Academy, July 2015.