Summit on School Climate and Culture - 4th Annual

Across the nation an increasing number of students enter the school each day with significant issues (mental health disorders, family strife, poverty, etc.) that make academic and social success difficult to attain.  These students often display disruptive, destructive , and aggressive behavior due to their inability to recognize and regulate their emotions.  This workshop will briefly explore some of the factors contributing to this rise in student anger and aggression.  More importantly, the workshop will provide information related to effective prevention and intervention efforts for educators.

Poverty is all too common in America's schools. What's rare, is an opportunity for educators to sit an absorb first-hand from a former at-risk student who dropped out of high school, endured a mother abusing drugs, absent father and learning disability. In this engaging session participants will unlearn perceived fallacies about students from poverty. A school reflects society. Within a school's walls are especially vulnerable students, such as those with histories of neglect, trauma, or violence. Schools are well positioned to help these traumatized students. Although some might argue that teachers should focus solely on academics, the reality is that teachers can't teach effectively if their students are not able to focus on learning. Students cannot learn effectively when they are burdened by the effects of trauma and poverty.  Craig's trademark slogan, GED to PHD is a concrete paradigm that educators should never give up on any student.