Teaching Difficult Students: Blue Jays in the Classroom

Here is an easy-to-read and inspiring text that explores the nature of young people and the effects traditional discipline strategies have on them. The author recommends humanistic approaches that promote personal growth in students rather than the common system of reward and punishment that aggravates underlying psychological issues and encourages resentment, retaliation, apathy, and failure. Includes: an academic review of educational psychology theories, step-by-step instructions on how to discipline students humanely and effectively, expressive artwork that illustrates how the principles of psychology manifest in the lives of real students in real schools. The ideas and stories emanate from the experiences of a K-12 teacher whose personal life has been profoundly intertwined with the teaching profession. This book will be of interest to practicing and pre-service teachers of all subject areas and grade levels.

Here is an easy-to-read and inspiring text that explores the nature of young people and the effects traditional discipline strategies have on them. The author recommends humanistic approaches that promote personal growth in students rather than the common system of reward and punishment that aggravates underlying psychological issues and encourages resentment, retaliation, apathy, and failure.

Nicole M. Gnezda teaches Visual Art at Worthington Kilbourne High School, a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School in the Worthington (Ohio) City school district.