Mrs. Shaffer

--Elementary teacher in Buckeye, AZ--
Wife and Mom

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

Mikey was a student who exhibited some of the most extreme behaviors for a young student. He had already received three superintendent level suspensions before he completed third grade. Mikey had more days out of school than in school. The behaviors included many physical altercations with students and staff, destruction of school property, consistent and significant disruption of the classroom (and school), and eloping from campus.

As principal, I really should have been listed as the teacher of record for Mikey, since he was in my office every day for several hours. Mikey was off-task pretty close to 100% of the time. Nothing in my toolbox worked well to reduce the negative behaviors.

A colleague suggested that we give him a “special job” in the building with more responsibility than his behaviors had warranted. At first I thought this was a very bad idea. But what choice did I have? Nothing else had worked. Worst case scenario, this too wouldn’t work and I would be in no worse place than where I had started. I asked for his recommendation. He suggested that we put him in charge of announcing the buses at arrival and dismissal. I told him that this sounded like a really bad idea. The thought of giving Mikey a walkie-talkie seemed to be a recipe for disaster. Mikey used words that even made me blush. Each classroom had a walkie in it too. I could just picture the damage control that I would have to do after Mikey used a four-letter word for the whole world to hear. My colleague reminded me about what I had to lose and the fact that nothing else had worked.

I went digging in our school’s basement and found an old bright orange crossing guard vest (circa 1985), a really beat up “Lil Captain” badge, and a Radio Shack walkie-talkie. On Friday afternoon, I called Mikey down to my office. I asked if he would be interested in a job at school. He asked for some information about the job. I told him that we really needed help with buses arriving and leaving each day since Dr. P was really bad at it. Mikey agreed that Dr. P was really bad at it and he said that he would like that job. I gave him his uniform and asked that he report on Monday morning.

Very early on Monday morning, I heard a mini-van door slam closed. I looked out the window and recognized the mini-van and the student walking up our sidewalk. Mikey walked straight into my office with a dry cleaning bag over his shoulder. He sat the bag down and pulled out a perfectly cleaned and ironed crossing guard vest with a very shiny badge on it. Mikey put these items on and saluted me. He said, “Captain Mikey reporting for duty sir”. He then took out the walkie-talkie. It had a “Captain Mikey” label on it (his mom must have used a home labeling machine to make this for him). I looked carefully at him and realized that he was completely serious, completely excited about his new job, and had a big smile across his face (I had never seen him smile before).

Mikey was very successful with calling buses as they arrived. In addition, our dismissal process ran like clockwork with Captain Mikey on the job. I have to admit that he was much better at this job than I was. Captain Mikey expanded his job description to help younger kids as they crossed in front of the buses. He even became the king of giving fellow students high fives and morning greetings. Mikey’s behaviors reduced by at least 95% almost immediately.

Even students with the most challenging behaviors have the potential for turning it around. Mikey rose to the occasion, felt needed, experienced success for perhaps the first time, and his behaviors improved significantly.

Thank you for doing whatever it takes to help students to succeed in school and life!

Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

Thank you for being effective leaders! @MeganBrown_BES @M_Quintana33 @miss_vanhorne

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Effective leaders like assertive teachers and help focus on developing their strengths and confidence. Ineffective leaders don't like assertive teachers and focuses on their weaknesses to keep their confidence low. Be the effective leader.

[Jonathan Alsheimer @mr_Alsheimer]

This is so awesome - CLOCK MATH
Use this with your class or kids at home... or share with your virtual students as a fun and interesting video to kick start your class!

[Buckeye Elementary School District @BuckeyeESD]

Here is a glimpse of what Third Grade online is looking like. Thank you to all the teachers that submitted videos.
#WeAreBESD #BESDStrong

https://t.co/OIYaQbTuRl

[Dana Grunow @dgrunow_78]

Meet the wonderful 2020-2021 third grade team at Buckeye Elementary School. Click on each of our pics to see our awesome team shirt!! @DinacegelkaB @MeganBrown_BES @KwilsonBESD33 @BuckeyeESD @BuckeyeElaz

[Dan Tricarico @thezenteacher]

Podcast: 5 Tips for Re-entering a Crazy School Year: https://t.co/hLZD9nu3sa #zenteacher #edchat #tlap #k12 #elemchat #teacherwellness #selfcare

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

Awesome! So proud of BESD!

[Save The Music @savethemusicfdn]

This virtual performance of the @FitzAndTantrums song will surely make your "hands clap!"

A round of applause for the 6-8th grade students of this year's honor band from @BuckeyeESD. #SaveTheMusic delivered a grant to all 7 of the K-8 schools here between 2011-2017. #MusicSaves

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

@thezenteacher Thank YOU for joining our book study a few weeks back. Your generosity with your time and presence meant a lot to me!

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

🔥Being challenged to consciously make decisions about what I want in my classroom and not just react! "In the classroom, the key to acting with intention is deciding what you want to have happen." https://t.co/vTwf7xGUlG
@thezenteacher

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

@thezenteacher Yes, I'm grateful for the growth process, but my resistance to routine is strong! I know pushing through the resistance will be worth it--maturity is such a gift!

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

The "Rituals" section had me smiling the whole time. My rebel self totally relates! "For a long time, I fought the idea of rituals. I let my days unfold any old way they wanted, certain I was living a serendipitous, Bohemian existence....What a drama queen." 😂
@thezenteacher

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

So hard! It requires clarity, patience, & maturity!
📌 "We yield and overcome not because we are pushovers, but because we are refusing to get caught up in the insignificant battles directly in front of us."
@thezenteacher https://t.co/dGRLe0Atjh

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

I think great administrators try to view things through the eyes of teachers… and I think great teachers try to view things through the eyes of students.

[Dan Tricarico @thezenteacher]

TZT Blog: What Is Their Story?: https://t.co/YNAZuj0Tke #zenteacher #edchat #k12 #elemchat #teacherwellness @burgessdave @dbc_inc @teachbetterteam @pushboundEDU

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

💡Being challenged by our new book study! "When we approach life with Beginner’s Mind, we learn to be strong enough to say, 'I don’t know,' 'I’m not sure,' and, 'I can learn more.' ”
https://t.co/cBvm0UTDQg
@thezenteacher

[Joshua Stamper @Joshua__Stamper]

"Relationships before Rigor
Grace before Grades
Patience before Programs
Love before Lessons" @DrBradJohnson

A wonderful guideline, especially during distance learning, while so many students are trying to work through hunger, anxiety, sickness, & so many other challenges. #SEL

[Dr. Jessica Stephens @DrJStephensVP]

Seen too much about creating urgency to light fire under kids right now...

Absurdity. No kids/families need added stress during a pandemic.

Concern/support. Give that & kids capable of academia during this will persist. Others deserve more concern/support. Only that. #LoveWorks

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

📌 "If you want to be that teacher for your students, you have to think like your back is against a wall and you are determined to face the challenges of making your classroom and school the best it can be. The wall is your best friend..." https://t.co/1sIFNQ2s58
@mr_Alsheimer

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

💯 📢 "Fighting for the students’ futures was left off the job description because it is so difficult, but it is one of the most important parts of what we do." https://t.co/cw7AbIbeVE
@mr_Alsheimer

[Mrs. Shaffer @Randi82]

🔥 💯 "When you are creating something special for your students and your school, forget about the worry that it might not work out. When you..." https://t.co/kkx9BjBrDW
@mr_Alsheimer