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Connecting With the Disconnected Chris Wejr Fort Nelson School District February 26, 2016 www.chriswejr.com CC image from emokr https ://flic.kr/p/tjNSb
Connecting With the
DisconnectedChris Wejr
Fort Nelson School DistrictFebruary 26, 2016
www.chriswejr.com
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Coming back…
Write down your greatest memory
as an educator.
What is the single best moment
with a student that has stood out to
you over the years?
Share this STORY with a partner.
What are 2 words that comes to
mind when reflecting and
hearing our stories about
students and teachers?
Write the 2 words on the sheet.
Post at the back of the room.
Connections.
Relationships
.
Moments.
Lessons
from AMY
Slow down
Be interesting
Be interestedBe more random
I used to think…
But now I think…
Percentage of students who
feel “I belong at school”
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011
Percentage of students who
feel that “teachers care about
me”.
Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011
Concern: “As young people progress
through school, they are less
connected to school, at a time when
their emotional well-being is most
vulnerable.”
Opportunity: “Positive school
environments and higher levels of teacher
support are associated with more positive
levels of mental health and lower levels of
behavioural problems in young people.”
We cannot teach a child
without a connection.
6 x 5 x 106 hours a day - 5 days a week - 10 months
a year
From Carrie Gelson http://bit.ly/1WpTFJv
“Connection is
why we are here.
We are hardwired to
connect with
others
-- Brene Brown
cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by Andrew: http://flickr.com/photos/30235101@N06/3344044448/
Relationships create experiences.
Experiences create outcomes.
We need to know you to grow you.
-- Cheryl Bachelder, CEO,
Popeyes
CC Image by Pix Spotting https://flic.kr/p/B6Hfsw
They may forget what you said…
but they will never forget how
you made them feel.
—Carl W. Buehner
Connecting…
…With the disconnected
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Who are…
the disconnected?
CC Image from Sandra Donoso https://flic.kr/p/sGqLo
The kids who
need the most
LOVE will often
ask for it in the
most unloving
ways.~ Russell Barkley
CC image from Madstreetz https://flic.kr/p/3n5Rik
HOW do we connect?
1. Be Interested.
Make the time.
Listen.
6 Keys to Connecting
Make the TIME to connect.
Make it a priority.
CC Image from Toni Carbo https://flic.kr/p/4tNrxq
Greet them… Every Child. Every day.
Small gestures make a big
impact
Video:
You are valued.
You matter.
--
Angela Maiers
CC Image from TEDx PSUBerks https://flic.kr/p/p8cnMo
To a child, trust is spelled T-I-M-E
Josh Shipp
1. Be Interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths:theirs AND yours.
6 Keys to Connecting
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We find what we are looking for.
DomConnecting with Dom
CC Image From Tony Baldasaro https://flic.kr/p/cDBuUs
CC Image from Terry Priest https://flic.kr/p/hrxqQ
Find the
FirefliesRachel Macy Stafford
Create leadership opportunities in
areas of strength.
Use YOUR
StrengthsGet involved.
1. Be Interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
6 Keys to Connecting
Find, Capture, and
Share
the GOOD.
CC image from Sarah Reid https://flic.kr/p/5KMhLN
Celebrate small successes…
privately
CC image from B. Tulk https://flic.kr/p/ddfcA8
Create a NEW streak.
CC Image by Ladyvee9 https://flic.kr/p/8dwV21
A streak starts with ONE.
Start a NEW streak.
1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
6 Keys to Connecting
Share who you are. Let people
in.
Let it go.
Smile.
Laugh.
“Would YOU want to be in your class?”
George Couros
Be engaging. Be relevant.
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Making school meaningful
Photo: Mike Carter, Alaska Highway News
1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of belonging.
6 Keys to Connecting
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
We were created for significance…
one of the most dangerous things
that can
happen to us is
the feeling that we
don’t matter.
- Angela Maiers
CC Image from Royce Bair https://flic.kr/p/7icRw2
The
Wrecking Ball
A Story
of Inclusion
and Belonging
CC Image from Michele M.F. https://flic.kr/p/qhgXmZ
Does every student feel
worthy in some way?
Does every child feel like they
belong?
1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of belonging.
6. Lead with your heart.
6 Keys to Connecting
Teach and lead
with an
ethic of care
CC Image from John K. https://flic.kr/p/8fC6yP
“Students learn what they care about, from
people they care about, and
who, they know, care about them.” Barbara Harrell Carson
Every kid needs a champion. Rita Pierson
Photo from RE Mountain Sec
Alex
1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of belonging.6. Lead with your heart.
6 KEYS to Connecting
HOW do we
do this with
so many
students?
CC Image from Jack Lyons https://flic.kr/p/wTg4L
Start with noticing what you
ALREADY do to connect.
Notice the connections you
already have.
Start small.
Start with ONE.
Create the time and space for
connections beyond your class.
CC Image from Denise Krebs https://flic.kr/p/edG2ee
School
Culture
Create ways for new students to connect
with each other and to the school
Valentine’s Connection Project
Langley Secondary School
My Students OUR Students
Remember your WHY.
Make it a priority.
Start with ONE.
Go together.
Connect with the disconnected.
CC Image from Kynan Tait https://flic.kr/p/drn16T
Thank you!www.chriswejr.com
