At Atlas Prep, students and
teachers alike take pride in our PREP values: being Professional, Respectful,
Engaged, and Prepared. When a student’s
behavior does not reflect our PREP values, they earn a deduction, or a garnished
wage in extreme cases. This growth process often results in emotional
pain. We have all felt angry,
frustrated, or embarrassed at different times in our lives, and these feelings
are normal human emotions. Some students,
however, feel and express ANGER far more than any other emotion when given a
consequence.
It is heartbreaking for any adult
to see students struggling with anger. Students sometimes express anger towards
teachers, the school in general, or some other external factor. This type of
response is natural to a degree. Adults even make excuses, blame others, and
become mad at those doling out consequences, rather than considering how they
can change their own behavior. So how can we, as caring adults, deliver
consequences in a way that minimizes student anger?
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Here are two tips every Atlas
teacher uses to help students grow while minimizing the pain that often leads
to anger:
Tip #1 - Give Consequences Calmly
As adults, we want nothing more
than for our students to grow. But if a
consequence is delivered in a rude, critical manner, the student can become
angrily focused on the person giving the consequence. Anger can lead to hostility,
misunderstanding, and additional conflict with others. A student’s reaction can
be even more severe if the critique is delivered aggressively. In some cases, students can lose sight of
their own behavior.
When delivering a critique calmly, it is easier for students to focus on
the message you are telling them instead of the emotion you speak with. In this way, adults have tremendous influence
over how students calmly take accountability for their actions.
Tip #2 – Give Consequences with Empathy
All Atlas teachers stress the
importance of giving consequences with
empathy, a term coined by the creators of Love and Logic. When consequences are given in a sincere, empathetic
manner (which is easier said than done, of course), scholars are able to
reflect on their own behavior more clearly. I have heard Atlas teachers say
things like, “I’m very sorry to give you a garnished wage for repeatedly
talking,” or, “I really like having you in class, but you are too much of a
distraction to stay.”
In the following video, Dr. Fay
explains how we always need to “lock in that strong dose of empathy, or sadness
for the kid, before we deliver the bad news.” Take a look at this video and
consider how giving consequences with empathy can minimize a student’s anger,
and increase self-reflection and personal growth.
Here at Atlas we will continue
offering consequences gently and with empathy, knowing that students will examine
their own behavior and cherish the opportunity to grow.
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School Counselor Danny Gibbons is a graduate of King's College and UCCS. When he isn't working tirelessly with Atlas Scholars, he enjoys sports, traveling, and the company of family and friends.
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It's that time of the quarter! This time around our 7th grade Atlas Preparatory Scholars had the pleasure of
visiting the Colorado State University campus on February
8th. Greeted by CSU student tour guides, Atlas students were introduced
to the college campus and got an inside look at what a college student's
life might be like on a daily basis. Atlas students were shown a real
college dormitory room as well as some of the places college students
hang out while they are not in class or studying. 
After School Program Coordinator Kaili Purviance started as a substitute teacher but fell in love with the Atlas environment and wanted more! He has a BA in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin with a strong background in entrepreneurship. Mr. Purviance believes that all students deserve access to a quality education that gives them the tools to be successful adults.
