Clothed with Grace: Focus on the Positive

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Focus on the Positive

We have a lot of great things going on at my school right now, all focused on encouraging positive behavior. We've started "Top-Notch Tuesday," where kids are encouraged to "dress for success." We also have a "Last Ram Standing" competition where we're competing to see which first hour class class can go the longest without a student having a tardy. We are making both short and long-term goals to help kids to engaged and focused, and a lot of us have in class incentives to encourage positive behavior like: turning in homework, coming to class prepared, working hard in class, get an A+ on assignments. This might sound like a lot, but we've found that focusing rewarding and supporting the kids who do the right things creates a positive environment and encourages more kids to do the "right" things.

Do we still have kids who need a little extra help and assistance from us, of course, but punitive punishments don't seem to cause any change in behaviors, but encouraging the positive does. All these things help make where I work a great place and keeps our attitudes in check too. This translates to home as well with Grant. If I take the time to encourage what I do want to see, he does more of that. If we walk around focusing on the stuff around us we don't like, it can be all consuming. However, if we look for the good, it's so much easier see.

I recently got my first kimono from Target when they had a buy one-get-one 50% sale. I've already worn it a handful of times. Now, I wouldn't say it does my pregnant shape any justice- this is an XS and it's very roomy, but there is something nice about having this oversized item in my closet.