Saving Our Sons

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Savannah chatham Public School System

Second Presenter's Institution

NA

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Harborside East & West

Strand #1

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Strand #2

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

This Proposal relates to both strands in that, I provide strategies for changing social and emotional behaviors, so that our children are given an equitable opportunity to learn and achieve academic success.

Brief Program Description

The objective of this presentation is to uncover a reason for so many of our children turning to drugs and violence. Most often they are unmotivated academically and disconnects at home and in the classroom. As educators, our hands are tied when it comes to the home. What can we do in the classroom? I will uncover some researched based, proven strategies that will help our children step into success in the classroom and in their future endeavors. This presentation targets administrators, teachers and those who work with "At Risk Children".

Summary

SUMMARY: Saving Our Sons

I read the story of a psychologist who tells about an encounter he had with a single mother of a teenage boy. It seemed that the boy had descended into drugs, gangs, and violence. The psychologist couldn’t get to the boy’s heart, because the boy was so hostile. His ultimate decision was; the boy didn’t need a counselor, but the fellowship of a male in his life and/or teachers who are understanding and knew how to give unconditional love.

First let’s be real. "At Risk" commonly describes the student who has poor attendance, low achievement, behavior problems, and low socioeconomic status. According to Slavin, 1989; these are the factors that determine whether a student will dropout or continue their education with success.

According to Authors Rick Dahlgren and Judy Hyatt, Time To Teach ,2007, there are eight proven strategies that can be used to help our children behave in class, a number of ways to make the environment positive, and several ways to gain the focus of the student in class. All of which will support student academic attitudes, motivation, engagement, and goal setting; their staying in school and graduating; and their grades and test scores. When students find their school environment to be supportive and caring, they are less likely to become involved in substance abuse, violence, and other problem behaviors (Hawkins, Catalano, Kosterman, Abbott, & Hill 1999; Battistich & Hom 1997; Resnick et al. 1997).

Researchers found that father-child contact was associated with better socio-emotional and academic functioning. The results indicated that children with more involved fathers experienced fewer behavioral problems and scored higher on reading achievement. This study showed the significance of the role of fathers in the lives of at-risk children, even in case of nonresident fathers, however we, as educators can make a big difference, even with the father out of the home.

Evidence

I have used many of the strategies discuss in Time To Teach and found them to be empowering and motivating. I have been named One of the Top 10 teachers for the year and received monetary rewards for above average test scores.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Maeetta B. Johnson began her career as an Educator for the Savannah Chatham County Public School System many years ago. Most of these years have been in the Title One School serving "At Risk Students". She was nominated One of the Top Ten Teachers for the year 2008, she has served on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), she is certified in Educational Leadership and Curriculum, she is a Certified Customer Service Specialist, and Teacher Trainer under the Center For Teacher Effectiveness. She has written two books.

Keyword Descriptors

committed, effective, nurturing, motivating, empowering, positive, excited

Presentation Year

2017

Start Date

3-7-2017 4:00 PM

End Date

3-7-2017 5:30 PM

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Mar 7th, 4:00 PM Mar 7th, 5:30 PM

Saving Our Sons

Harborside East & West

The objective of this presentation is to uncover a reason for so many of our children turning to drugs and violence. Most often they are unmotivated academically and disconnects at home and in the classroom. As educators, our hands are tied when it comes to the home. What can we do in the classroom? I will uncover some researched based, proven strategies that will help our children step into success in the classroom and in their future endeavors. This presentation targets administrators, teachers and those who work with "At Risk Children".