Developmental Designs approach

With-it-ness

With-it-ness
by Ann Larson Ericson

 

How with-it are you? What do you see happening in your classroom, in the halls, and on bus duty? Are you a teacher who notices everything? Development Designs’ philosophy says that we can never not notice things. We always have to be aware of the kids in our room and all the overt, as well as covert, behaviors that are going on. It can be exhausting, but what a difference it makes in your classroom when you’re with-it and your kids know you’re with-it.

Teaching the Job

 

A folder needs to be delivered to the office by a student. When a teacher looks out into the sea of students, who tends to be fished out to do the job? Is it the student who you think can get the job done with minimal interruption? Or is it Peter who often goes astray from his seat to the pencil sharpener?

Community and Trust-Building Work for Everyone

By Ann Larson Ericson

It’s very important to me to get to know my students—to build our relationships and to learn about their families, their interests, and their stories. But it wasn’t until I attended my first Developmental Designs training that I realized how important it is to build positive relationships with my adult colleagues too.

 

Positive School Climate Change among the Adults

By Eric Charlesworth

Last Friday we began our afternoon staff meeting with our customary check-in. This is a ritual in which each person in the circle shares about something happening in his or her life, in or outside of school.

A Stress-reducing Teacher’s Lounge

by Erin Klug

I’m not breaking any new ground by stating that teaching can be a stressful occupation.