Brief Biography
Dr. Melanie James has been an educator for the past 18 years at the elementary, high school, and college levels. She is currently in her tenth year as the assistant principal at Fowler Drive Elementary School in Athens, Georgia. Cheryl Sewell has served as the counselor at Fowler Drive for the past eight years and is completing her doctorate degree at the University of Georgia in professional school counseling. Both ladies spear-headed the implementation PBIS and their school-wide discipline plan and have noticed marked improvement in student behavior and the culture of the school.
Highest Degree of Presenter(s)
Melanie James - Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Supervision
Cheryl Sewell - Ed.S., ABD in School Counseling
Presentation Abstract
Our presentation would focus on building positive relationships among staff members within the school, establishing a positive school culture, improving teacher morale, and fostering teacher-buy in. We believe that the success of the PBIS program at our school hinges upon the fact that our teachers bought into the program and model respect for each other. We have a family-like culture within our building which has developed over time due to creative initiatives that we put into place. Although our presentation would not specifically address strategies that parents could use in the home, it would show how a positive culture at school positively impacts relationships with all stakeholders including students, their parents, and community partners.
Recommended Citation
James, Melanie D. and Sewell, Cheryl S., "Building Community Among Staff and Fostering Teacher Buy-in" (2015). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 10.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2015/2015/10
Building Community Among Staff and Fostering Teacher Buy-in
Our presentation would focus on building positive relationships among staff members within the school, establishing a positive school culture, improving teacher morale, and fostering teacher-buy in. We believe that the success of the PBIS program at our school hinges upon the fact that our teachers bought into the program and model respect for each other. We have a family-like culture within our building which has developed over time due to creative initiatives that we put into place. Although our presentation would not specifically address strategies that parents could use in the home, it would show how a positive culture at school positively impacts relationships with all stakeholders including students, their parents, and community partners.
