Building Bridges: Engaging Students at Risk Through the Power of Relationships (Building Trust and Positive Student-Teacher Relationships)

by Don Parker

Overview

Research shows that discipline problems are prevalent in public schools and continue to be one of the greatest challenges in education. In Building Bridges, author Dr. Don Parker shows educators how to address this issue head-on. He shares an array of evidence-based strategies to build student-teacher relationships and create a welcoming learning environment that fosters student engagement, motivation, and achievement.

Support students at risk by creating a positive school culture and building trust:

• Consider the student behaviors, characteristics, and experiences that are typically barriers to success in school.
• Learn how and why punitive punishments and zero-tolerance policies have failed to curb poor behavior in schools.
• Understand the importance of student-teacher relationships and the ways in which trust and positive relationships improve student behavior.
• Develop your ability to build positive student-teacher relationships through educational techniques, classroom management strategies, and teaching methods.
• Study the research that supports the many academic and social benefits of student-teacher relationships.
• Examine the ways in which school culture and climate affect the behavior of students and classroom engagement.

Contents:
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Develop the Mindset
Chapter 2: Show That You Care
Chapter 3: Establish a Culture for Learning
Chapter 4: Don't Take Bad Behavior Personally
Chapter 5: Create an Effective Classroom Management Plan
Chapter 6: Connect Through Content
Chapter 7: Use the Back Door
Chapter 8: Take an Ecological Approach
Chapter 9: Develop Empathy
Chapter 10: Teach Life Skills and Give Students Hope
Chapter 11: Build Students' Self-Esteem
Chapter 12: Get to the Root of the Problem
Chapter 13: Communicate With Your Heart
Chapter 14: Open Up
Chapter 15: Seal the Bond and Provide Effective Feedback
Epilogue
References and Resources
Index

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947604360
Publisher:	Solution Tree Press
Publication date:	04/26/2019
Series:	The New Art and Science of Teaching
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	200
File size:	2 MB

Table of Contents

About the Author xi

Foreword Robert Jackson xiii

Introduction 1

School Discipline 1

Zero Tolerance 4

Counseling and Relationship Building 5

About the Book 5

Chapter 1 Develop the Mindset 9

What the Research Says 11

What It Looks Like in the Real World 14

Questions for Reflection 17

Action Steps 17

Developing a Relationship-Building Mindset 19

Chapter 2 Show That You Care 21

What the Research Says 21

What It Looks Like in the Real World 26

Questions for Reflection 29

Action Steps 29

Student Questionnaire 31

Chapter 3 Establish a Culture for Learning 33

What the Research Says 34

What It Looks Like in the Real World 36

Questions for Reflection 37

Action Steps 38

School Culture and Climate 39

Chapter 4 Don't Take Bad Behavior Personally 41

What the Research Says 42

What It Looks Like in the Real World 45

Questions for Reflection 46

Action Steps 47

Finding Solutions to Frustrating Problems in the Classroom 48

Chapter 5 Create an Effective Classroom Management Plan 51

What the Research Says 52

What It Looks Like in the Real World 55

Questions for Reflection 57

Action Steps 58

Classroom Management Plan 59

Chapter 6 Connect Through Content 61

What the Research Says 62

What It Looks Like in the Real World 66

Questions for Reflection 67

Action Steps 67

Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices Survey 68

Chapter 7 Use the Back Door 71

What the Research Says 72

What It Looks Like in the Real World 73

Questions for Reflection 77

Action Steps 78

Behavior and Academic Interventions for Students at Risk 79

Chapter 8 Take an Ecological Approach 81

What the Research Says 83

What It Looks Like in the Real World 86

Questions for Reflection 87

Action Steps 88

Ecological Approach to Providing Interventions for Students at Risk 89

Chapter 9 Develop Empathy 91

What the Research Says 91

What It Looks Like in the Real World 95

Questions for Reflection 96

Action Steps 97

Empathy Survey 98

Chapter 10 Teach Life Skills and Give Students Hope 101

What the Research Says 102

What It Looks Like in the Real World 105

Questions for Reflection 106

Action Steps 107

Goal Worksheet 109

Chapter 11 Build Students' Self-Esteem 111

What the Research Says 111

What It Looks Like in the Real World 113

Questions for Reflection 116

Action Steps 117

Supporting Students at Risk Through School Policies and Procedures 118

Chapter 12 Get to the Root of the Problem 119

What the Research Says 121

What It Looks Like in the Real World 124

Questions for Reflection 125

Action Steps 126

Conflict Resolution Form 128

Chapter 13 Communicate With Your Heart 129

What the Research Says About Empathetic Listening 131

What Empathetic Listening Looks Like in the Real World 132

What the Research Says About Active Listening 133

What Active Listening Looks Like in the Real World 134

What the Research Says About Reflective Listening 136

What Reflective Listening Looks Like in the Real World 137

Questions for Reflection 138

Action Steps 138

Effective Listening Skills Checklist 140

Chapter 14 Open Up 141

What the Research Says 142

What It Looks Like in the Real World 144

Questions for Reflection 146

Action Steps 147

Understanding Self-Disclosure and When It Is Appropriate 148

Chapter 15 Seal the Bond and Provide Effective Feedback 149

What the Research Says 150

What It Looks Like in the Real World 152

Questions for Reflection 154

Action Steps 154

Methods for Providing Feedback 155

Epilogue 157

References and Resources 163

Index 177

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"In Building Bridges, author Don Parker delivers a powerful book on how to build meaningful relationships with students at risk of failing in school. As a seasoned and effective urban schoolteacher and principal, Parker understands firsthand why relationships, compassion, and empathy for students matter and are prerequisites to academic success. This book is a must-read for anyone working with students who are at risk but have the potential for greatness."

—Baruti Kafele, author, educational consultant, and retired principal

"Building Bridges is an insightful guide packed with information for educators, especially those who work with students at risk. Author Don Parker cites evidence-based research and offers practical strategies to help educators build and maintain strong teacher-student relationships."

—Rose M. Thomas, former administrative dean of students, Bremen School District 228, Illinois

"I love the format of Don Parker's amazing book, Building Bridges. I am inspired by his own life story and his ability to draw the reader into the content. Parker's research, self-reflection, and practical strategies to help build significant and effective relationships will provide powerful outcomes for readers and the students they serve. This book is a must-read for all professions working to make a difference in young people's lives."

—Jim Sporleder, national trainer, Trauma-Informed Schools

"Building Bridges is a practical, research-based pedagogy that captures the essence of necessary teacher-student interactions and transcends the realm of the classroom, while preparing students for college and career readiness that is the foundation for success in a global world."

—Patricia Welch, professional development specialist, Curriculum Associates