W05 - Discipline that S.U.C.C.E.E.D.S!

Dr Isabella Wong

Empirical research of studies conducted over the past 50 years indicate that classroom management has the greatest effect on student learning, as compared with other factors including cognitive processes, home environment and parental support, school culture, and curriculum design. The message is clear: if we wish to prepare our students well for the 21st century, we need to get a good handle on effective classroom management.


But many capable teachers today find themselves facing increasingly difficult discipline problems. Managing student behavior has become a challenge for many, as behavioral problems such as disengagement, noncompliance, defiance, inattention, and aggression become common occurrence. These day-to-day challenges can steadily wear out the good and positive attitudes of both teachers and students.


It’s clear that teachers everywhere are hungry for an effective approach to classroom discipline that can help them to gain control of their students, their classrooms and even their job satisfaction. The twin challenges that teachers face can be described as follows. First, how does one transform the classroom into a positive, orderly, and inviting place in which to teach and learn? Second, how does one strengthen the self-esteem of students, which must happen if we want students to behave more responsibly and achieve more academically?


The workshop facilitator will share knowledge and skills to help teachers meet these twin needs. The coverage of topics and strategies will strike a balance between two challenges. One is the employment of proactive strategies to promote and enhance students’ learning. The other is on the use of interventions that address discipline and behavioral problems in the classroom.


The principles of prevention and positive action underlie the attitudes, skills, and knowledge presented in this workshop. In unison, they articulate the pillars of DISCIPLINE that S.U.C.C.E.E.D.S. : Self-management; Uprightness; Cooperation; Creativity; Encouragement, Empowerment, Dignity, and Self-motivation.


Objectives

  • Participants reflect on personal beliefs about discipline and about their relationships with students.
  • Participants practice successful strategies for eliminating inappropriate classroom behavior.
  • Participants learn how to develop students’ emotional intelligence and promote personal responsibility as a way to manage classroom behavior.
  • Participants explore approaches to classroom management that will not be a constant drain on class time.
  • Participants learn how to create a positive, purposeful and supportive teaching and learning environment that empowers the learner for success.
  • Participants learn how to employ counseling and behavioral techniques to help students examine and change maladaptive behaviors.

Highlights of workshop

  • The Discipline Dilemma
    • Crowd control or self-discipline?
  • Your Personal Classroom Ecology
    • Understanding your personal beliefs about discipline
    • The key principles of effective classroom management
  • Prevention is the Key!
    • Research and classroom-tested strategies to prevent discipline problems even before they start
    • How effective teachers manage, organize, and structure their learning environment
    • How effective teachers guide, practice routines and procedures that tell students, “This is how class is here - this is how we treat each other - this is how we learn”
    • How effective teachers prevent unwanted behaviors by teaching, practicing, and assessing the behaviors they want
    • Creating positive relationships and a genuine sense of belonging in the class
    • The most common mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them
  • Invitations to cooperate, problem solve, and self-correct
    • Preventing confrontations and diffusing potential power struggles
    • Helping students develop better problem solving and communication skills
    • Sending sane messages - Effective “teacher talk” and “student talk.”
  • Interventions and Consequences
    • To intervene or not to intervene
    • Understanding why students misbehave
    • Alternatives for managing student behavior
  • Developing Student Autonomy and Responsibility
    • Supporting student-managed behavior control
  • Not Forgetting the Most Important Factor in Discipline – YOU !
    • “A load of books does not equal one good teacher.” – Chinese proverb

Approach of workshop

This workshop emphasizes reflective analysis, opportunities to analyze case studies and classroom interactions, integration of new learning into available repertoire of skills, as well as skill practice within a supportive learning structure.

Profile of trainer

Dr Isabella WongDr Isabella Wong is an Assistant Professor with the Psychological Studies Academic Group at NIE-Nanyang Technological University. A school psychologist and counselor by training, she is deeply involved in the pre-service instruction and supervision of trainee teachers and school counselors.

Dr Wong specializes in teaching and research on these topics: social and emotional learning; effective teaching; school counseling; teacher professional development and intervention for children with behavioral difficulties.

During more than 20 years in education, Dr Wong has served as a school teacher and counselor, as well as a lecturer and researcher in education. She has done extensive consulting and training with school policy-makers, principals and teachers to develop programs and practices for use in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

With a combination of theoretical grounding and practical experience, Dr Wong works with educators locally and internationally to translate abstract theories into best practices e,g., in developing effective instructional methods, good counseling approaches and professional mentoring.

Due to her vast experience and knowledge, many big organizations have tapped on the expertise of Dr Wong. They include the National Environment Agency, MUIS, Ministry of Health and Mindef, as well as a variety of schools and social service agencies.

How to Order Workshop

If you’re interested to order any of these workshops, please contact Dr Ng Aik Kwang, Director, The Idea Resort.

Email:

Hp: 9780 2202 / 9118 3014

Workshop duration

1 Day - 9am to 5pm