The Power of Relationships

1. The Power of Relationships Brenda Joubert School Improvement Consultant Southern Regional Education Board Educator for 27 years with experience on the school level, state level, and as a consultant Wife and mother of four almost-grown children

2. Your Relationships • Use the card to list all the hats you wear. • Think about how these relationships guide your actions and thoughts

3. What is Important? • Belonging to a group • Working together • Relying on one another

6. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Parents Teachers Students Community

7. ResearchHigh Schools That WorkMaking Middle Grades Work Direct correlation between specific: Results for Students: Personal Academic Career Preparation Actions of Students Teachers Administrators Parents

8. Research Reveals Key Practices

9. Research Reveals Key Practices • Programs of Study • Challenging Academics/CTE • High Expectations • Extra Help • Actively Engage Students in learning • Work-based Learning • Data driven decisions • Teachers Working Together • Guidance and Advisement • Transitions

10. Guidance Affects Academics

11. Dropouts Identify Five Major Reasons For Leaving School 47%Boring Classes 43% Absences; Could not catch up 42% Friends also disinterested in school 38% Low expectations 35% Failing grades The Silent Epidemic John M. Bridgeland, John J. DiIulio, Jr., Karen Burke Morison. March 2006 Good News: Adults at school can influence most of these.

12. Dropouts say… • 69 % were not inspired • 66% could have worked harder • 37 % were failing in school • 62 % missed class often National Center For Dropout Prevention

13. Regrets • Almost all regret leaving school • 76% would stay in school if they could do it over • 74% of dropouts would re-enter school a year later The Silent Epidemic, Civic Enterprises, March 2006

14. Relationship Power Connect students to: • Goal • Plan to reach that goal • Caring Adults • Peers

15. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

16. Johari Window • Known to Self • Unknown to Self Known to Others • Unknown • To Others

17. The Power of Relationships Connections positively influence: • Self esteem • Current actions • Future plans

18. Connect students to an Individual GOAL • Variety of experiences • Regular and Diverse Career exploration • Self awareness

19. Connect Students to a PLAN to Reach Their Goal • Legitimate 5 year plan • Refer to the plan for course taking and other decisions • Revisit the plan often • Explore possibilities • Revise the plan

20. Allow for Individuality It’s all about ME!

21. Do you understand your students? Do you get where they are coming from? Can you appreciatethe differences in students? How would students answer these questions about the adults at your school?

22. Connect Students to a CaringADULT • Role model • Listener • Reminder of goals • Reflection of ethics • Resource for information

23. Relationship Power Guidance/Advisement Programsbenefit STUDENTSand TEACHERS

24. Mentoring Students Dropout Early Warning Systems (DEWS) tell school, district, and state personnel which students are at risk of dropping out of school. Why wait ?

25. Interventions Compilation • Parent/Guardian Notification • Progress reports • Report cards • Attendance letter • Phone calls • Parent Command Center • Parent/Guardian Conference • Meeting with parents/guardians to discuss intervention actions • Judicial • Truancy court • Pre court conferences • TASC • Home visits • FINS • Marine Institute • Boot camp • Positive Behavior • SWPBS • DARE • Counseling • School Based • Professional treatment • Conference with student • Mental health services • Verified not at risk • Special Services • Referral to pupil appraisal • Special education referral • Behavior plan • Mentoring • Pairs students with adults and or students • Buddy System • Natural helpers Tutorial Services • Homework hotline • Teacher assistance • Peer tutoring program • Special class Teaming • Ninth-grade teams • Regular team meetings • Notifying teacher or other professionals Classroom Adjustment • Ability grouping • Smaller class sizes • Freshman-only classes • Extended day • Credit Recovery Alternative Program • Options • In school suspensions/expulsions • Alternative site • Alternative school

26. Students appreciate the positive attention of adults

27. Personal Notes To Students Mean a Lot!

28. Does EVERY student have a personal relationship with at least one adult at school? You can find out…

29. Advisor-Advisee Programs • Meet regularly • Encourage professional relationships between teacher and student • Have planned agenda/lessons • Allow time for career exploration

30. Connect Students with PEERS • Create safe environment for students to connect with peers who: • Reflect similarities • Share a common interest • Enjoy similar activities • Connect all students to a team, club, co-curricular group

31. Plan Peer Connections for EVERY Student Think… • Available Groups • Student needs not yet met • Create new opportunities for increased peer connections

32. Essential Questions Guide Guidance • What needs updating in the current guidance system? • What is missing from your guidance system? • Adult – student • Student - student • How can we fill the void? • What will students will gain from the proposed experiences?

33. Get the most out of the conference… • Let our discussion trigger thoughts of how to assist students at your school. • Imagine positive relationships for all of your students. • DREAM BIG! • Build one new relationship today.

34. The Power of Relationships Brenda Joubert School Improvement Consultant Southern Regional Education Board Brenda.Joubert@sreb.org