Kim Slaydon

Mother 👩🏻‍🦰👩🏻‍🦰 wife 👨🏻 Educator 👩‍🏫

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

A good reminder before we all head back into the classroom.

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

What Is A Ruckus?
My secretary called and said there was a ruckus in the front hallway. I was really excited to see what was going on. I wanted to know what a ruckus was. I learned that a ruckus was a small boy I hadn’t net yet. The ruckus was ripping our bulletin board off the wall, knocking over a table and cursing.

He turned around & said, “What the F--- are you looking at?” He continued, “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” I responded with, “You seem to be upset. What do you need? How can I help?” He moved a step closer to me and said, “Are you deaf, too? I just said you’re fat, bald, and stupid.”

My response was, “I heard you just fine. Now I really can tell you are upset. What do you need? How can I help you?” He started crying while re-stating for the 3rd time (in case I missed the other two times), “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” He then said, “I hate this stupid school; I don’t know why I’m here. I don’t know where my mom is. I hate my foster family.“

He reached his arms out. I asked if he needed a hug and he nodded. I then asked if he wanted to go to my office. He nodded. I let him know that “Dr. P” is here if he needs anything. He sat at my table and put his head down.

He looked me in the eyes and said, “Dr. P, I’m very sorry for everything that I did. I just miss my mom.” I responded by telling him that I appreciate his apology and that I accept it. He then said, “I am also really sorry for calling you those mean things. I didn’t mean it.”

We brainstormed some ideas of what he could do in the future if he was having a tough day. He suggested that he could ask to get a drink, ask for help, or just put his head down. I let him know that these are great strategies. I added that he could always ask to see the counselor or me.

We then discussed how he could be on the lookout for signs that he was getting upset, frustrated, angry, or agitated. He said that he sometimes started to clinch his fists and his breathing changed. I told him that those were good signs and that the body often gives us signs that we are starting to get upset. We both agreed that it was so important to listen to our bodies.

He asked if he could get his backpack and coat. I thought that was an unusual request for 10 a.m. I asked him why he would need his backpack and coat. He replied, “Because I’m going to get suspended like I did at my last school.” I let him know that there may be another plan. He scrunched his face and looked puzzled.

I asked, “How do you think you could fix what you did this morning?” He thought about it for a minute or so and responded with, “I can pick-up what I threw and fix anything that I broke.” I let him know that this seemed like a good plan. He picked up the items that he threw and helped put the bulletin board back on the wall.

I went over the plan for the next time and we made sure he knew what to do in case he got upset, frustrated, angry or agitated again. I said, “Since we’ve agreed on the plan, let’s shake on it to make it official.” He reached out his hand and shook mine. I let him know that he could go back to class. He picked up his bookbag and his jacket and started off to his class. I called his teacher to let him know that he was on his way. His teacher was so happy to welcome him back to class. I never had another problem with him.

A teacher stopped by later that day. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t suspended. “He called you fat, bald, and stupid.” My response was that it never was about me. I then asked the teacher if any of the comments were false. She looked at me like I was crazy. I let her know that I am fat and bald. Those were both true statements. I also argued that stupid is a relative term. She didn’t like my answer.

How do you deal with colleagues who are fixed mindset, focused on punitive methods or who believe that alternatives to suspensions equate to being soft on discipline?

From the book “Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics”
(https://t.co/IsFQnYpsnh)

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@kloneal2 I’m going to miss you Kim! You are such an asset to students and teachers! 🥰 I’m excited for your future.

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@mistergee21 I thought maybe this meant you and @catanilehmann were covering kinder for the week!

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@TheissKISD PK-2nd graders enjoyed a performance from @DoerreT today! @DoerreKISD 🎄 🎅🏻 🤶🏻

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

Look at that engagement @MannSammantha 🤩

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

I walked into @MannSammantha’s class today, and she was making magic happen while teaching the last week before break! 👏🏼👏🏼@TheissKISD

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@mistergee21 I’m going to miss her too. 😭😭😭 I know she’s going to be a rockstar though!

[Rachel Stevens @RMRStevens]

Young citizens exercised their civic duty to have their voice heard in our class mascot mock-election! They listened to candidate speeches, presented their voter registration card, cast their ballot and got an I Voted sticker! #kleinvotes #wildaboutlearning @TheissKISD

[Jill Funk @jillfunkAP]

Book Character Parade! #littlemisstwin @KleinISD @MrsSlaydon @meg42969 @TheissKISD

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

Fall Festival 2022 #tonyathetiger #wildaboutlearning #theissfallfestival @JTaylorEducator @jillfunkAP @TheissCounselor @TheissKISD @meg42969

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

Tiger selfies! #theissfallfestival #wildaboutlearning #tonyathetiger @TheissCounselor @TheissKISD @NurseBKerry

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

#UvaldeStrong today with my girls!

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

#NewProfilePic

[Klein ISD @KleinISD]

Have a 🌽 CORNTASTIC 🌽 Labor Day weekend, #KleinFamily!

Shout-out to our amazing @KleinISDFood teams at all our schools for always fueling every student & providing them with nutritious meals! Special thanks to @McDougleKISD for starring in this video.

#itscorn

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

First Grade scientists in action at @TheissKISD! @KleinISDscience #ScienceInAction #wildaboutlearning

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

❤️❤️

[Michelle Collins @Mrs_Collins_TX]

@TheissKISD teachers are lucky to be loved on by our incredible math & reading instructional specialists! They pour into us constantly, and it feels awesome to be appreciated. We are grateful for you @MrsSlaydon & Megan Herbein! 💗🍩 #wholeperson #invest

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@meg42969 Donuts make rainy days better! We made it the first full week! @TheissKISD #wildaboutlearning

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@J_MeaganWhite She looks like Zane in the top right pic! Happy Birthday, Naomi!

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

@kloneal2 One of my favorite lessons to teach!

[Kim Slaydon @MrsSlaydon]

Loved seeing this in group today!! @carrera_third is doing great things in her classroom! @NorthamptonKISD