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“You Can’t Make Me!”

Using Boundaries and Win-Win Power Dynamics to Build Responsibility, Cooperation & Mutual Respect in the Classroom

Presentation by Jane Bluestein, Ph.D.

Few things are as aggravating or exhausting as power struggles with students. If you find yourself nagging, arguing or threatening, or having your authority challenged, then this workshop is for you.

Rather than focusing on how to react to oppositional, obnoxious, passive-aggressive or disrespectful behaviors, we’ll concentrate on how to prevent these behaviors from occuring in the first place.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to create a win-win authority relationship in which you can generate cooperation without threats or punishments. We’ll explore practical, effective strategies for reducing stress and conflict in the classroom— including setting and maintaining boundaries, following through to build accountability, increasing positivity, building trust and mutual respect, and accommodating kids’ needs for power within limits that won’t make you crazy. We’ll also examine practical and effective alternatives to common patterns and traditions that tend to undermine our authority.

In addition to motivating oppositional, defeated and disengaged students, these strategies also work with whiners, feet-draggers and “space cadets”! This workshop is applicable to kids of all ages, with strategies for all teachers, counselors, administrative, classified and support personnel.

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