How Negative Student Behaviors Evaporated

From Marian Arrowsmith,
former principal of a suburban
Blue Ribbon school

October 2005

“As a result of a three-year faculty study and training on the learning process, our faculty developed a common language, states Marian Arrowsmith, former principal of Woodlake Elementary, a suburban Blue Ribbon school in Mandeville, Louisiana. “When they went to a SBLC (School Building Level Committee) with concerns about a student, they were able to talk more specifically about the problems they were observing. We were all more aware and looked at children differently.

“For example, behaviors that had been looked at as behavioral problems were examined more closely. Teachers looked at what learning frustrations might be hiding behind and causing those negative behaviors. Then as teachers addressed the learning problems with strategies specific to the particular learning issues, the negative behaviors evaporated and the child became a happier, more well-adjusted child as his or her success went up.”

Woodlake's faculty and administration participated in CDL's three-year professional development program on the learning process. Contact CDL at learn@cdl.org or (985) 893-7777 to learn how CDL can customize the training for your school.