BUILDING BETTER Behavior
FREE NEWSLETTER | October 2025
The Village of Rosendale has a widely-known reputation as a "speed trap". However, of all the times I've driven through Rosendale, I've never even seen a police car. Do I still honor the speed limit? Of course! Because we all know (or have heard) about how frequently the speed is enforced.
quick tips SMALL SHIFTS, BIG IMPACT
TRY SAYING THIS:
So what? That’s Rosendale, not here!
“Hey, I’m just checking in. Everything good here?”
You’re right, but the idea that places are frequently monitored for appropriate behavior can be transferred to the school setting.
Calm curiosity can diffuse tension before it starts.
Students notice when we're there. And when we're not. We need to constantly actively supervise so that expectations are enforced even when we're not present. Read More: Iris Center
REAL TALK: PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION It’s easy to become reactive instead of proactive, especially during unstructured times. But our presence matters. Most behavior problems are solved—or prevented—by being close, curious, and calm. You won’t always have the perfect response. That’s okay. Taking a deep Like what yousaying see?“Give me a breath—or even second”—isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
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PRAISE THE PROCESS, NOT THE PERSON It’s tempting to say “Good job!”—but we build stronger skills when we get specific. Instead of praising the student, name the behavior. Instead of: “You’re so smart!” Try: “I noticed how you stuck with that even when it got tough. That’s perseverance.” Students learn what behaviors to repeat. Praise can reinforce growth mindset when we highlight effort, strategy, or improvement. Read More:: Mindsetkit.org
Katie Tennessen ktennessen@cesa7.org (920) 617-5642