Friday, September 22, 2006

WWBD (What Would a Behaviorist Do?) Vol. IV



Dear Behaviorist,
I am an elementary school principal and have been given fabulous training in positive behavior intervention that my district paid thousands of dollars for. My problem is that I do not understand behavioral priciples even after being inserviced and am making a bloody mess of my school. Further, I refuse to take the blame for my mistakes. What should I do?

Signed,
Eternal Irritant

Dear Eternal Irritant,
First, perhaps as the administrator you should be setting the example for your school staff to follow, we call this modeling. If you are unwilling to admit your mistakes, how will there ever be any growth? Second, once you have accepted that you are in need of additional training, go get it, BEFORE YOU RUIN THE MORALE OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL! How will your staff ever know how to implement a behavior system if they are incorrectly or inadequately trained. I hardly find this to be the fault of the staff. Modifying behavior is a tricky thing and should not be taken lightly. I suggest you take a long look at yourself and do some serious reflection about what kind of school you'd like to be running. Sorry to go all cognitive on you.

Eternally Controlling,
The Behaviorist

12 comments:

lulu said...

Methinks the Beahaviorist is writing letters she would like to see from people who have been pains in her ass.

Tenacious S said...

ARE pins in her ass. Please use the corret tense.

echo said...

or the *correct* tense too....

Guy sounds like a real prize...

Tenacious S said...

OK, clearly I was so angry I could not type. I meant to say...ARE pains in her ass and also correct tense. I was in a hurry. Sorry. Not guy, little tiny woman. I want to pin her down and shave her bald. That would make me REALLY happy. I will tell further tales to whoever wants to hear. Let's just say I have elevated it to the district level. I will not be done until she says she's sorry and gets fired. Ooops, am I being overly aggressive?

echo said...

heh...

lulu said...

Let me guees, Bink's pincipal? Rememeber, you have a pal in principal.

Tenacious S said...

You won't believe this, they are actually admitting that I might be right and are ceasing current implementation and are having a staff meeting about it next week.

lulu said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
lulu said...

You, a trained professional, might be right about a child you have been in constant contacgt with since 9 months prior to birth?

Tenacious S said...

Possibly....I think I feel a victory lap coming on....

Coaster Punchman said...

Do you think the Behaviorist can help us with Mama Gin?

Tenacious S said...

You betcha!