ESD adopted the Conscious Discipline model for managing student problem-solving several years ago. Conscious Discipline training puts an emphasis on learning from our mistakes and fixing problems through conflict resolution.
Remember getting in trouble when you were a kid? I do! I vividly remember my first grade teacher sending me to the corner of the classroom to face the wall. Every time a student would get sent to the corner, she would yell, “stop talking”. After standing in the corner for several minutes, you could rejoin the group. I was always a pretty chatty kid in school and no one ever took the time to tell me the impact that I had on others.
In the Conscious Discipline model, we shift from punishing children to handling the consequences of our actions. In the PAWS room, I work with Ms. Shari to help students realize that their mistakes are an opportunity to grow and learn. The two of us work with students on problem solving strategies, what to do in the future and validate their strong emotions. Oftentimes, students are asked to work out problems with others and repair the mistake that was made. These moments allow the students to recognize their actions and move forward in a positive direction.
If your child visits us in the PAWS room, we are teaching them how to build their skills to make change because these are truly teachable moments.
-Mrs. Lee
