Courageous Classroom

On Monday, January 15, all LP staff will be meeting at LPHS for training on the Courageous Classroom from Starr Global Learning, beginning at 8:00 am in the auditorium.  Last week, all district administration was given the opportunity to learn about trauma and resilience from the same group.  I wanted to fill you in a little bit on what to expect tomorrow and where it fits in to our plans in the high school and throughout the district.

You have heard me say throughout the year that behavior is communication.  This training will focus a great deal on the causes of behavior, the experiences of our students, and the effects that their experiences have had on their brain.  It is also going to focus a lot on our reactions to our children.  Some of the information will force you to focus on your reactions and relationships with students, and if you are a parent, even with your own children.  As I sat through the training last week, I couldn't help but have a feeling of guilt for some of my past reactions to student behavior and that of my kids.  I know that there are times that I could have and should have been better.  My hope for tomorrow is not that you will experience that same feeling, but instead that you will be open minded and reflect and know that we can and should be better.  I have had the opportunity to witness a lot of good throughout the first semester and have said repeatedly how impressed I am with your commitment to our students.  I've also told you that I am always pushing for how we can be better.  This training and our focus on trauma and building resilience in our students is how I believe we can do that most effectively. 

In the coming months, we will continue to focus on tomorrow's training and continue to build towards our goal of making sure that our students are prepared for whatever life throws at them in their 13th year, their first without us to fall back on.  Please come tomorrow prepared with an open mind to what they are teaching us, and with at least one student that you are struggling with right now in mind.  Think about that student throughout the training and try to develop your plan for working with them for the remainder of the year.  I promise you will get some great ideas and I look forward to working with you as we continue to develop our plans to guarantee success for all of our students.