1. RELATING TO AT RISK YOUTH: WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO TO COMBAT THE IMPACT OF ISOLATION, ALIENATION, AND REJECTION AMONG STUDENTS PRESENTED TO IL CCBD FEBRUARY, 2011 Thomas Reilly, Ed. D. treilly55@hotmail.com

2. Teachers riding in limousine What makes a school great? Role of teachers in school success Data-driven decision-making Teen-agers less likely to graduate

3. Introductory Information Teachers are struggling Damage to affective skills of students

4. Today, many people are asking schools to do what they used to ask God to do.

5. Folks tend to forget that children, like their toys, arrive with considerably assembly required. Relationship-based v. subject matter teaching Strategies for positive teacher-student relationships Laugh Parade

6. Turn mistakes into lessons. Isolation and alienation of teachers Keep Out! No Vacancy I want to talk to you about my son. Well, how was your day? First year of teaching Mrs. Stegler Now, Mr. Roberts… America at crossroads

7. Changing role of special educator A teachers interview Have a good day…

8. Problem-solving and proactivity Teaching v. learning Have educators changed commensurate with student needs? Are you the teacher nobody likes?

9. Staying current Role of respect …Then the cuffs can come off

10. Students can disappear in the educational system Role of strong teacher-student bonds Mrs. Muttner

11. RESPECT V. D ISRESPECT Many of todays students do not feel they have to earn respect from teachers by acting appropriately. Many believe they should have respect because they are who they are. Teachers who are non-judgmental help themselves on the issue of respect. Itrinsic commitment v. control

12. COMMON EDUCATIONAL GOALS Quality teaching Diverse needs Develop students Promote positives Build harmony Learn more or blame others A Horse Story

13. AS EDUCATORS, WE HAVE POWER As educators, we have the power to CREATE, ENHANCE, and SUSTAIN A school climate that is healthy for students by CONNECTING with them PERSONALLY, ACADEMICALLY, AND SOCIALLY

14. GUIDELINES FOR EDUCATORS Every child is a learner Give dignity Is the classroom ready All students can learn and succeed

15. ISOLATION, ALIENATION, AND REJECTION DEFINED Isolation = the withholding or withdrawing of social support by significant others in a persons life (Hazler and Denham, 2002) Alienation = when a person lacks a sense of belonging…when youth feel they do not belong in the social environment Rejection = a perception of the withdrawal of love and affection (Beck, 1999)

16. Teen alienation Adult apathy Isolated, alienated, rejected youth are more at risk It takes a village surprises

17. DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT Fewer opportunities to respond Less praise and reinforcement More reprimands

18. Problems with accumulation of risk factors THE DILEMMA WHAT TEACHERS MAKE Apathy over action Social implications of good parents Luke Woodham

19. AN INTERVIEW WITH LUKE WOODHAM WHO KILLED HIS MOTHER AND TWO STUDENTS IN PEARL MISSISSIPPI Q Did any grown-up know how much hate you had in you? A No. Q What would it have taken for a grown-up to know? A Pay attention. Just sit down and talk to me. Continued on next slide.

20. AN INTERVIEW WITH LUKE WOODHAM P 2 Q What advice do you have for adults? A I think they should try to bond more with theirstudents…talk to them…it doesnt have to be about anything. Just have some kind of relationship with them. Q How would you have responded? A Well, it would have took some time before Id open up. If we kept talking…I would have…said everything that was going on.

21. LUKE WOODHAMS DIARY I am not insane. I am angry. I killed because people like me are mistreated every day. I am malicious because I am miserable.

22. Student problems can be overcome Teaching/learning process Kim Kunkel = HATRID

23. HATRID A QUOTE FROM KIP KUNKEL My HATRrid tord humanity forced me to do what I did. When children experience patterns of rejection, they need teachers to claim rather than reject them. In-service seminar

24. How much stress is too much?

25. BREAKING THE CYCLE OF ALIENATION First, one needs to know the characteristics… Poor social relationships Poor attendance High dropout rate Low achievement Missing ingredient = parents?

26. Educational neglect Connecting to the community Human relationships among students

27. RELATIONSHIP-DRIVEN TEACHING Students must feel safe. Students must feel like what they are doing has value. Students must feel success. Students want to be valued. Teachers must seek out best practices.

28. Children who hate Different perspective Is Dennis the menace at risk? Occasionally, he makes sense. Rolandos parents

29. Student input is valued Good news Role of the brain

30. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO PROMOTE HEALTHY, CARING REALTIONSHIPS? Dignity and respect Good coping skills Problem-solving limits

31. 5 STRATEGIES FOR POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS Empathy Trust and respect Jon Seita Credibility How do educators connect? Significance Affective regulation

32. What children want from adults Understanding hearts and minds of our students Disappearing in the educational system Most school shooters are guys Patterns of aggressive behavior Why do students shoot their classmates? Valparaiso, In Local perceptions

33. Losing control of destiny Social conditions Medical quote

34. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHOOL SHOOTERS Each planned shootings Each was a threat BEFORE any crime was committed Community-based questions BEFORE a crime was committed Only a few of shooters were diagnosed BEFORE the incident Major change in significant relationship BEFORE the shooting

35. Can we expect different behaviors from at risk kids? Two items of control Communicating positively with kids Dennis the menace does not agree

36. Friendship friends are best part of school for adolescents Making friends is crucial to life adjustment One friend in class is important Importance of friendship overlooked

37. 2 IMPORTANT THINGS WE SHOULD BE DOING IN SCHOOL Helping our students to feel connected Making their time in school WORTHWHILE

38. What do our students want from adults? Teachers must be the change we want to see I quit! Mark twain Secret of a good sermon Conclusion