Valerie Vos

Mom; Literacy Coach; and Educator

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

Please consider supporting Pedaling for a Purpose: WI Adventure! https://t.co/AREdFnoZhK 🚴‍♂️💙

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

I'm excited to explore all the activities at The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando. If you are traveling soon, check it out! https://t.co/s9dmFPVdo6 @THEGROVERESORT

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

"When have I felt most joyful this year and what steps can I take to recreate those conditions?"

-@JamesClear

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

#MaslowBeforeBloom.. spot on

[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)

[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)

[edutopia @edutopia]

Too many decorations, and students can get distracted. 👀
Too few, and your classroom will feel cold. ❄️
Here's the research-backed way to get it just right. 🤩
https://t.co/Lx03EwzzyW

[Jimmy Casas @casas_jimmy]

What if we created a school environment where we handled every staff member and student with care? Do you think it would make a significant difference in the culture? If so, then let's commit to making this happen starting today. #HandleWithCareEDU #Culturize

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

@CDaigleOrians G@

[Tyler Rablin @Mr_Rablin]

There is little to no evidence that point deductions for late work do anything to improve self-management and timeliness in the long-term.

Do what you will, but let’s name that this is something we do without any evidence that it actually teaches students anything.

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

This! Always make decisions based on the students

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

Good school culture is never a fluke. It results from educators who love their job and make decisions based on the best interests of kids!

[Christine Perkins @MrsPerkinsPVMS]

“Teacher-student relationships have an effect size of .72, yielding almost 2 years expected growth over 1 year.” @GregJWolcott #Significant72

[Tammy Gibbons @GibbonsTJo]

#LeadingPLC

[David Geurin @DavidGeurin]

It’s impossible to grow as a teacher, a principal, as an educator, or as a person, unless you are willing to change.

Growth requires change. It requires different ways of thinking, acting, and leading.

You cannot stay the same and succeed in a world that is not the same.

[Valerie Vos @vosval17]

Very true statement @MrJordanHein

[Jordan Hein @MrJordanHein]

Attitudes are contagious. Be mindful of how yours will impact your team, your friends, your family today.

Just as we should wash our hands many times a day, don’t forget to wash away whatever stress, anxiety, impatience, & anger you’re carrying too. Deep breath. You got this.

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

I remember a teacher telling me, “When you’re surrounded by superstars… it makes you want to be better than you are.” That’s the power of collaboration -- the power of collective efficacy.

The best teachers don’t just inspire their students; they inspire their colleagues.

[Jimmy Casas @casas_jimmy]

#ThoughtForTheDay When students misbehave, time outs & detentions can be effective, but more so when the focus remains on relationship building & academic support rather than punishment. Shift from time out to time in...time spent in the relationship. #Culturize

[Brad Weinstein @WeinsteinEdu]

#HackingSchoolDiscipline