Author of

 "Good Kids, Difficult Behavior" and "Discipline That Works: 5 Simple Steps" http://www.thehumanconnection.net   Volume 28 January 2005

 

Note from the Editor

 

Dear Educators and Friends,

 

Where did 2004 go?  We hope that each and every one of you had a safe and joyous holiday season.  Now it's time for all to get back to work. 

 

As we begin a new year, we at the Human Connection would like to thank each and everyone of you who have passed along your kind words and thanks to Joyce for all of her great work.  Continue to send your comments, as we appreciate your valuable feedback.

 

Don't forget to check out the upcoming EVENTS for a list of the programs and locations that Joyce will be presenting early this year, especially those of you who are within driving distance to Atlanta. Joyce will be participating in the following conferences and special seminars:

 

February 13-14, 2005 - GA. Department of Education, 9th Annual Georgia Tech Prep State Conference  www.gacte.org

 

February 16, 2005 - 15th Annual Student Assistance Program of Georgia (SAPA) Conference, Sheraton Buckhead Workshop & Keynote.  www.sapaofga.org

 

Joyce will be conducting a special seminar in Atlanta during the first week of March.  The title will be "The Rage to Reason."  It will focus on working with students who are prone to explosive episodes or melt downs.  Don't miss our February Connections Newsletter for details (Date, location and times).

Mark @ The Human Connection

Check out "Ask Joyce" below for her answer to an educator's question. What would you like to ask Joyce? See how to send in your own question below! We look forward to hearing from you during this school year. Please let us know how it went if you try some of Joyce's suggestions. Joyce really wants to be a help to you.

 
Information on how to receive (or stop receiving) our newsletter and mailings can be found at the end of the newsletter.  Subscriptions

If you like the newsletter, please consider forwarding it to your colleagues and system staff development specialists.

Mark@TheHumanConnection.net
 
 

Special of the Month for our Ezine Subscribers

 

This Month Only our Complete Audio Bundle for ONLY $48.00 ~ that's 20% off the bundle price and 35% less than purchasing them individually. A $75.00 Value

 

This bundle contains the following Audio Programs on either tapes or CD's.

 

Successful Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Students - double set  

Safe and Effective Strategies for Defusing Hostile Students

Motivating the Unmotivated Student

Communicating Effectively with Difficult Parents  

NEW Bridge From Rage to Reason

NEW Who Is Paying Your Energy Bill?

NEW Supervising and Supporting the Struggling Teacher:

 

That's a total of 7 programs (8 tapes or CD's) for ONLY $48.00

   

   
Ask Joyce:
   

As Joyce travels and works with educators all over the country, she is constantly being asked--- "What do you do when...?" questions.  She has the greatest respect for "what do you do when questions" because usually the questioner is genuinely seeking new information and the teacher is willing to be a student.  Each month, Joyce will answer one or more of the most common "what do you do questions".  You are welcome to send one of yours.  She'll do her best to answer it.  Keep in mind, her answers may be different from the customary response but they are tried and true strategies for getting students to do what you are asking them to do.  Give yourself permission to try something new! Email Joyce at joyce@thehumanconnection.net  with any questions or situations you would like input on.  Let us know if we can show the question in a future newsletter or if you prefer to keep it private. We are hoping Joyce can help address situations you encounter and by sharing these questions/answers others can benefit as well.

 

Happy New Year!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday break and the New Year is off to a good start for you and your students.  I hope that you had time during the holiday break to do absolutely nothing and enjoy it.  The holidays often are so packed full of activities and celebrating that one can get exhausted during this wonderful time doing too much of a good thing.  Sometimes “peace on earth” can be hardest to find when we need it most.

Energy Tip

As you get back into the daily routine at your school, take some time to think about those individuals, both students and colleagues that you were genuinely glad to see.  Think about the activities you were glad to get back to.  Perhaps you were just glad to regain some structure in your life.  Whatever was good about getting back to work, take time to recognize that these are the things (people) that give you energy. 

When times come (and they will) that you begin to feel tired or depleted, then go---even for a short time---to see one of these people, or do one of the things you enjoy the most in the classroom---even if it isn’t written into the plan for the day. 

If you yourself are glad to come back to structure and routine, then find a way to add structure to your day during the times that you are feeling low in energy.

If you enjoyed being free of the structure of an every minute schedule while you were on your holiday break, then remember to loosen up some of your daily schedule during the times that you are feeling tired and depleted.  It will give you an energy boost.

Small things make a big difference when it comes to managing personal energy supplies.  Give yourself time and permission to do small things to protect and improve your energy supply.

Discipline Tip

 

Think Opposites

 

 

When it comes to working well with troubled children and teens it is often a good idea to think in opposites.   Try some of these opposites and see how they work:

 

 

When you find yourself wanting to scream:

 

Lower your voice and speak slowly.

 

 

When you feel like lecturing a student:

 

Say two sentences that are to the point and stop.

 

 

When you feel angry because a student is defying you, and you want to move closer and speak louder:
  Take a step back.  Moving backward instead of forward when you are challenged can change the dynamics of a heated exchange.
   
When you want to criticize a student’s behavior or performance:
  Tell them something good about them.
   
When you want to talk to them:
  Listen.  Ask them to talk to you.
   
When you want to tell a parent that their child is failing because they are not being responsible. 
  Ask the parent what you can do to help their son/daughter be more successful.
   
Sometimes doing the opposite of what we’ve always done or feel like doing can have amazing results.  Try it at home too.  It can be fun just to watch the surprise on other people’s faces. 
   
 

Inspiration:

Life transforming ideas have always come to me through books.
Oliver Wendall Holmes

Taken from ~ http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/index.html
   
 
Contact information:
   
 

The Human Connection

125 Highgreen Ridge

Peachtree City, GA 30269

Phone (In Georgia): 770-631-8264                     

(Toll free): 1-888-460-8022

Fax: 770-486-1609 

                    

Email: For info about newsletter/website, contact mark@thehumanconnection.net

 

To order books, and get info on training programs, contact divinyi@mindspring.com

                                          

Website: http://www.thehumanconnection.net

   
 
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Copyright 2004 The Human Connection