Comments on: A prescription for bad attitude http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/03/07/a-prescription-for-bad-attitude/ Elona Hartjes shares the insights, resources and practical classroom strategies that have earned her A Teacher of Distinction Award. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:51:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Elona http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/03/07/a-prescription-for-bad-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-7094 Elona Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:28:13 +0000 http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/03/07/a-prescription-for-bad-attitude/#comment-7094 Christine, thank you so very much for your kind words. Your article really did make a difference. Some days are just tougher than other days. As you know, there is so much controversy about the approach that should be taken with at-risk kids. I'm always explaining why the "let's kick them out of school" approach isn't necessarily the best one. I get accused of being "soft". I don't really mind that label because I know you have to be tough to be "soft". It's easier to get mad and kick em out! But, what good is that! We have to find ways to make it work for at-risk kids. They are, after all only kids ,and the time to make mistakes and learn lessons from your mistakes is when you are a kid. I tell my at-risk kids that they need to help other at-risk kids because they got the help that made the difference. Sherri, thank you for forwarding my post to Christine. I was delighted to hear from her. I agree with your philosophy (www.studentflourishing.com) of using a person's strengths to help them succeed. In fact, my students just finished an assignment where they determined their strengths and reflected upon how they could use that information to help them be successful in school and in choosing a suitable career or hobby. They really paid attention and got the point. Christine, thank you so very much for your kind words. Your article really did make a difference. Some days are just tougher than other days. As you know, there is so much controversy about the approach that should be taken with at-risk kids. I’m always explaining why the “let’s kick them out of school” approach isn’t necessarily the best one. I get accused of being “soft”. I don’t really mind that label because I know you have to be tough to be “soft”. It’s easier to get mad and kick em out! But, what good is that! We have to find ways to make it work for at-risk kids. They are, after all only kids ,and the time to make mistakes and learn lessons from your mistakes is when you are a kid. I tell my at-risk kids that they need to help other at-risk kids because they got the help that made the difference.

Sherri, thank you for forwarding my post to Christine. I was delighted to hear from her. I agree with your philosophy (www.studentflourishing.com) of using a person’s strengths to help them succeed. In fact, my students just finished an assignment where they determined their strengths and reflected upon how they could use that information to help them be successful in school and in choosing a suitable career or hobby. They really paid attention and got the point.

]]> By: Christine Duvivier http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/03/07/a-prescription-for-bad-attitude/comment-page-1/#comment-7091 Christine Duvivier Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:51:39 +0000 http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2007/03/07/a-prescription-for-bad-attitude/#comment-7091 Dear Elona, Sherri Fisher http://www.studentflourishing.com/ sent me a copy of your article. I was happy to hear it made a difference in your day and was especially happy to hear about the inspiring work you do every day with kids. I forwarded your article to Chris Martes, the school superintendent in Framingham, MA that inspired my article. Thanks for the work you do with kids everyday-- you inspire us all (and I'm not a teacher)! Christine Dear Elona,

Sherri Fisher http://www.studentflourishing.com/ sent me a copy of your article. I was happy to hear it made a difference in your day and was especially happy to hear about the inspiring work you do every day with kids.

I forwarded your article to Chris Martes, the school superintendent in Framingham, MA that inspired my article.

Thanks for the work you do with kids everyday– you inspire us all (and I’m not a teacher)!
Christine

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