Working with Challenging Students
Most all teachers have had the experience of being the one who made a difference in the life of a student–and every student deserves to have such an adult in their lives.
There is no single intervention or trick to magically change a challenging student into a self-regulating and motivated participant. What does work is creating settings in which students are known, explicitly prompted and supported and praised, and given the academic and social tools to thrive. The experience of working with challenging students as they learn to thrive is one of the richest rewards of working in schools. Let’s get that experience more often.
Available Workshops
Click to learn more about each workshop below
Related Articles
The Prevention Interview
What if we used the time usually spent punishing students to instead talk with them and makes plans in ways that help them succeed?
Be Special, Educator!
I am old enough to have been there at the beginning of special education, and fortunately, I completely missed the euphemism of “special.” I knew schools were filled with students who were disengaged, abused, overwhelmed, scared, with quirky learning difficulties that would not go away simply by avoiding the required reading and writing and math curricula.
From the Introduction to “Hanging In”
There is never one thing that defines a challenging student, never one cause, never one life event, never one disability. If it were one thing, the solutions would be simple. One of my own teachers confronted me with this important and demanding advice: “Keep the complexity as long as you can.”
Schools That Work and Work and Work
Let’s agree that we are not pouring money into public education without wanting a return for our investment. We need our kids to grow up to pay taxes, enough taxes to pay the government back for their schooling, or what’s the point?
Looking Backward and Forward from 100 Repetitions
It’s been years since the publication of “100 Repetitions”—and the need to understand this crucial understanding of how kids learn has never been more necessary.
When to stop hanging In
After years of helping schools hang in with challenging students, it was time to clarify when to stop hanging in.
The Power of Positive Regard
Originally titled “Praising and Loving Students,’ this ASCD on-line article asks all of us to recognize and support every student as a member of the community for doing no more than crossing the threshold into the school and the classroom
What does “personalized learning” mean, & what can it look like in the classroom?
Learning is an accomplishment of attention and effort that can take place in an auditorium filled with 2,000 people, or at a corner table in a library. It takes place with a teacher, or a coach, or with peers, or when you are alone. Learning is always a personal experience for the learner.
How Not To Be A Mountain Troll
For many troubled students, adults have represented danger and uncertainty. Let’s change that.
That’s Not Mainstreaming!
I am old enough to have been there at the beginning of special education, and fortunately, I completely missed the euphemism of “special.”
Connect with Jeffrey Benson
Want to learn more about how Jeffrey can support your school or organization? Schedule at time to meet with Jeffrey to learn more about customized workshops and other services.