Episode Details

This is a teaser for the Transformative Leadership Summit. Brian Edmister, a principal in a rural, high-poverty district in western New York, explains how his school handles student behavior: teachers teach it the way they teach content, and build it into what kids are expected to do.

The payoff is concrete. Edmister says discipline numbers in his school, which goes up to eighth grade, have dropped to almost nothing. He gets a write-up once or twice a month, and it is usually something he can deal with in 30 seconds. Teachers spend less class time on the back end.

What you'll learn

• Teach behavior expectations up front and build them into what students are expected to do, so you do not spend class time on them later.
• Ask teachers to take responsibility for teaching behavior the way they take responsibility for teaching content.
• When behavior slips, ask how you can make sure this kid is successful.

Chapters

• 0:48 Teach behavior up front to save class time
• 1:18 Discipline drops in a rural poverty district
• 2:11 Teachers teach behavior like content

Times are for the episode without ads. Your player may be off by the length of any ads.

Questions this episode answers

How can a school reduce discipline problems without more punishment?
Edmister says his school teaches behavior and integrates it into what kids are expected to do. His discipline numbers have dropped to almost nothing, with a write-up once or twice a month, usually something he can deal with in 30 seconds.

About Brian Edmister

Brian Edmister is a principal in a rural, high-poverty district in western New York, with students up to eighth grade.

Links and resources

• Learn more about the Summit

Working on this at your school? Get a free preview of a 10-week leadership pathway built from episodes like this one at transformativeprincipal.com/start.

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