Brief Biography
Matthew Donahoe is from Henryville, Indiana and in his 19th year as a professional educator. He graduated from Indiana University Southeast with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and also has a Master of Education and Leadership Certification from Indiana Wesleyan University. Matthew served his first 10 years, in Indiana, as a 4th and 5th grade teacher. After moving to the Atlanta area, he served 2 years as an EIP teacher; Matthew is currently in his 7th year as an Assistant Principal and has served in 3 separate districts within the Atlanta metropolitan area. He is currently serving as an Assistant Principal at River Eves Elementary School within the Fulton County School district.
Emily Smith is from Alpharetta, GA. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Collaborative Education. She has taught special education in the Roswell area for 5 years. She is the co-chair of the River Eves Elementary School PBIS committee.
Erin Armour is from Birmingham, AL. She graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Collaborative Education. She has taught first grade for 3 years in the Roswell area. She is the co-chair of the PBIS committee at River Eves Elementary School.
Highest Degree of Presenter(s)
Matthew Donahoe
Indiana Wesleyan University
Master of Education & Administrative Certification
Emily Smith
Auburn University
Bachelor Degree in Collaborative Education
Erin Armour
Birmingham-Southern College
Bachelor of Science Degree in Collaborative Education
Presentation Abstract
River Eves Elementary School has experienced immediate success with our initial PBIS structure this school year. In an effort to embrace the concept of investing in “The Power of Positive Supports: Home, School, and Community,” River Eves has integrated our former Character Education program with our new PBIS framework. The PBIS committee is broken into smaller sub-committees in order to maximize addressing school-wide PBIS needs (ex: data, RTI, curriculum, and funds).
Every month has been assigned a specific character concept; each grade-level team constructed developmentally appropriate monthly units so that behavior could be taught to students and connected to positive character actions. The unit work is accomplished on Friday mornings during the regularly scheduled school-wide RTI block. This satisfies RTI Tier 1 behavior for the entire River Eves learning community. Therefore, we are now focusing on Reading (Mondays & Tuesdays), Mathematics (Wednesdays & Thursdays), and Behavior (Fridays).
Our school-wide behavior matrix expectations drive the classroom discussions for the entire month of August; this allows us to set clear behavioral expectations in all areas of the building. Teachers spend each Friday revisiting the matrix and discussing what has been going well and what elements still need some work.
To consistently reinforce positive student behaviors, River Eves has implemented “Eagle Cards.” Students can be awarded an Eagle Card for exhibiting outstanding actions that embodies each month’s character education concept. Eagle cards are placed into a weekly drawing where multiple students and staff members are recognized for exhibiting or recognizing positive character in action. Student and staff drawing winners choose from a reward choice board. Certain parents have already relayed that they are highly impressed with what they are seeing/hearing; our PTA has already become an active PBIS advocate and works diligently to promote parent and community support and involvement!
Recommended Citation
Donahue, Matthew; Smith, Emily; and Armour, Erin, "School-Wide PBIS Start-Up Tools" (2015). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 24.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2015/2015/24
School-Wide PBIS Start-Up Tools
River Eves Elementary School has experienced immediate success with our initial PBIS structure this school year. In an effort to embrace the concept of investing in “The Power of Positive Supports: Home, School, and Community,” River Eves has integrated our former Character Education program with our new PBIS framework. The PBIS committee is broken into smaller sub-committees in order to maximize addressing school-wide PBIS needs (ex: data, RTI, curriculum, and funds).
Every month has been assigned a specific character concept; each grade-level team constructed developmentally appropriate monthly units so that behavior could be taught to students and connected to positive character actions. The unit work is accomplished on Friday mornings during the regularly scheduled school-wide RTI block. This satisfies RTI Tier 1 behavior for the entire River Eves learning community. Therefore, we are now focusing on Reading (Mondays & Tuesdays), Mathematics (Wednesdays & Thursdays), and Behavior (Fridays).
Our school-wide behavior matrix expectations drive the classroom discussions for the entire month of August; this allows us to set clear behavioral expectations in all areas of the building. Teachers spend each Friday revisiting the matrix and discussing what has been going well and what elements still need some work.
To consistently reinforce positive student behaviors, River Eves has implemented “Eagle Cards.” Students can be awarded an Eagle Card for exhibiting outstanding actions that embodies each month’s character education concept. Eagle cards are placed into a weekly drawing where multiple students and staff members are recognized for exhibiting or recognizing positive character in action. Student and staff drawing winners choose from a reward choice board. Certain parents have already relayed that they are highly impressed with what they are seeing/hearing; our PTA has already become an active PBIS advocate and works diligently to promote parent and community support and involvement!
