Connecting with Students

How many teachers take the time to connect with students on a personal level? How do you find the time, anyway? Teachers who manage to transcend the normal student-teacher relationships can benefit everyone in school—particularly the "challenging" students—and, along the way, prevent school violence, support school safety, improve school climate, and promote learning. In a time of an increasingly rigid "zero tolerance" of the slightest hint of violence, which results in automatic suspension or expulsion, Allen N. Mendler calls for a more caring, flexible approach to school safety.

Connecting with Students outlines dozens of positive strategies for bridging the gap between teacher and student through personal, academic, and social connections. Easily tailored to any learning environment, the activities and guidelines provide you with the tools you need in the classroom, from the "H & H" greeting to the "2 x 10" method and the "4H," "think-aloud," and "paradoxical" strategies.

As both teachers and administrators alter their own attitudes and behavior, they learn to listen to students and accommodate their needs. The end result will be lasting relationships that can foster deeper understanding and growth for educators and students alike. In this book, you will discover ways to stay optimistic and persistent and see your students as having something to teach you.

Dr. Allen Mendler is an educator, school psychologist, behavior and classroom management expert, and parent of three children.

He has worked extensively with children of all ages in regular education and special education settings. He has consulted to many schools on the topics of discipline, behavior, and classroom management. He has also consulted at day and residential centers, and has done extensive work with youth in juvenile detention.

Dr. Mendler's emphasis is on developing effective frameworks and strategies for educators to manage behavior and classrooms. He is an expert at helping youth professionals, teachers, administrators, and parents help difficult youth succeed.

As one of the internationally acclaimed authors of the book "Discipline with Dignity", Dr. Mendler has given many workshops and seminars to professionals and parents. His behavior management philosophy is highly acclaimed, and Dr. Mendler is in demand as a motivational speaker and trainer by schools all over the world.

He is the author or co-author of many books including: "What Do I Do When?""""Power Struggles: Successful Techniques for Educators""Motivating Students Who Don't Care""Connecting with Students""Discipline with Dignity for Challenging Youth"Dr. Mendler's most recent book, "Just in Time", provides practical easy-to-read tips and specific methods for preventing discipline problems. His articles have appeared in many journals including Educational Leadership, Kappan, Learning, Reclaiming Children and Youth, and Reaching Today's Youth.

Dr. Mendler has been recognized for his distinguished teaching in the areas of discipline, behavior, and classroom management by the Bureau of Education and Research, and was a recipient of the coveted Crazy Horse Award for having made outstanding contributions to discouraged youth. Dr. Mendler lives with his wife Barbara and his daughter Lisa in Rochester N.Y.