“Teachers should identify and access the supports they need to create an inclusive classroom community that ensure membership and opportunities for friendships, collaboration, and parent involvement” ~Leslie C. Soodak
Student teaching in a school that is very diversified makes me realize the importance of inclusion, and how a teacher can easily do things to include or not to include all the students. Examples are having pictures of the students in the class so they see themselves there, including books from a variety of cultures, taking the time to share stories that are important to the children, as well as many other things. Establishing a strong classroom community starting on day one is key. Letting kids know that each one of them is important and they are all part of the classroom can really change the course of the year. If a child feels supported and comfortable they will be more willing to participate in classroom discussions and other activities.
PBS (Positive Behavioral Support) plan is something we use at my school and the article talks about. I believe it has mostly pros and a few cons. The pros being it highlights the positive behavior rather than the negative behavior. I remember in my elementary school how my teachers used the stop light system that entailed calling you out in front of the whole class and asking you to change your color. I believe this can be embarrassing and encourage kids who like to be the center of attention. The PBS plan, on the other hand, rewards students who do the right thing. I also believe it redirects children who are not on task or misbehaving. Who doesn’t like to be praised? Kids spend most of their day in school and having someone there to thank you for doing the right thing or complement you is very encouraging.
There is one kid in my class who had a difficult time adjusting to a new teacher, me, being in the classroom. We had a few challenging moments but with the guidance of my CT I was able to connect with him in a positive way. I took him aside one day before he even stepped into the classroom and told him I was here to help him. I asked him what it is I could do to help him be successful. He responded by saying he would like a good note sent home. So I told him what my expectations for him were and if he did his best, I would send a note home. As the day went by I reminded him a few times of our conversation that morning when I noticed he was about to deviate and he got right on task. At the end of the day I pulled him aside and gave him the note and told him I was very proud of him. We both went home with a smile that day 
Oh Claudia, your story was so cute and I think it was a great idea for you to pull him aside and make that personal connection with him. More importantly you stuck with him the whole day and stayed committed to his success. This showed that you wanted him to succeed and that you wanted to make him happy. You were to the mean teacher in the room, but you were someone he could trust and should respect. In a class of 20+ kids it can be difficult to get to know every student, especially one who is resistant to your authority, but you seemed to do this beautifully.
I like how Carrboro does PBS, and I think it is good that it is school wide and that there is not new behavior management plan that students have to learn. I am curious though about the inconsistency from teacher to teacher. This would be a hard thing to implement and enforce the whole year.
Great post, I’m so happy we are in the same group!