For years, we have been concerned our schools understand that there are many ways to view students who demonstrate significant needs. This concern remains a valid one still.

Behaviors are indications of needs to be met, not punishments to mete

Few students are “model” students and many have sustained some kind of toxic stress though they may not have been categorized as struggling.

Some who are labeled with various learning syndromes may have been traumatized. Other students who have violent tendencies may be dealing with multiple issues and cumulative stress to the extent that they cannot cope with their school or home environment. It is important to look beneath the surface.

We are beginning to see a new wave of information, training and interventions that schools are using to help students with many difficult behaviors. With these new approaches, challenged students are endeavoring to self-regulate which will make them less of a threat for violence and other damaging reactions to varied situations.

One article of interest on this topic can be found at the following address: http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/separating-the-child-from-the-trauma/?_r=1&

If we could create schools like this to be our model across the nation, I believe there would be fewer violent incidents, less labeling, better grade point averages and overall better behavior management.  This approach would truly help students find new ways to deal with their issues.

Please read this article and dream with me of a day when our educational programs will look like this one and achieve such good results.

Thanks again for reading Lakeside Connect.

Gerry Vassar, President/CEO, Lakeside Educational Network