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Prevention starts in college classroom
The state's largest teacher training colleges emphasize prevention over intervention when dealing with school violence. Central Washington University and Western Washington University, which now turn out more than 500 certified teachers annually, say the goal is to keep the classroom running smoothly. Sheila Fox, assistant dean of Western's Woodring College of Education in Bellingham, said the overall teaching curriculum focuses on developing students' social skills. That helps avoid future problems and "gets the classroom running like a well-oiled machine," she said. In Western's special education track, student teachers also take a behavior disorders class. It's much the same at Central's Ellensburg campus, where occasional workshops on gang behavior and violence are about all the practical training that is offered. Andrea Bowman, a professor of curriculum and supervision in Central's teacher education program, admits that might not be enough. "(Student teachers) might feel more at ease if they had some training," Bowman said. But considering how much information students must learn, it becomes a matter of priority in what to spend time on, Bowman said. Most of the violence-prevention techniques are left to school districts, where individual policies govern teacher actions. Managing the classroom so problems don't happen is drilled into student teachers during their courses, said Hollie Hansen, a Central graduate. Resolve problems while they are small, they're told. Dan Fennerty, an expert in special education who teaches a behavior management course at Central, said he provides his students with three basic points for dealing with violence and confrontation: -- Teachers should talk to students who are being harassed so they know someone is on their side. The hope is this will make them less likely to violently act out. -- Teachers need to take immediate action when a fistfight or other event occurs. In those cases, as many adults need to be on the scene as possible, Fennerty said. -- After an incident ends and calm is restored, teachers should analyze how they conducted themselves and determine what punishment is best for the student. Madalon Lalley, a student teacher supervisor in the Kent-Federal Way area, said school districts have strict policies that student teachers learn. Daylong workshops teach them how to handle potentially dangerous situations and about the security measures schools have taken. The office of superintendent of public instruction and the Washington Education Association sponsor training sessions by Pierce County sheriff's deputy Jesus Villahermosa, a statewide expert. Villahermosa instructs teachers on how to diffuse angry students and break up fights that he calls "reality training." A few of his suggestions: -- Never jump between brawling students. -- Tell students watching a fight to disperse immediately. -- Never let an angry student get between you and the classroom door. -- Don't sacrifice safety for an immediate resolution. |