Introducing Conscious Discipline at JPS: Change Comes From Within

Charlotte Jewish News April 2021

By Devorah Gorkin

The JPS staff is embarking on a journey — using the program Conscious Discipline ® . Created by Dr. Becky Bailey in 1996, Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive classroom management program and a social-emotional curriculum. It is based on current brain research, child development, and developmentally appropriate practices. What I love most about Conscious Discipline is that it is specifically designed to make changes in the lives of adults first. The adults, in turn, change the lives of children. The focus inward is crucial and is the only way to truly bring about change.

Beginning this February, our staff is taking part in a book study, accompanied by workshops and meetings, to learn and discuss how to internalize Conscious Discipline and implement it in our classrooms.

Conscious Discipline is compatible with methods we currently use, and by teaching the research behind these methods and why they are effective, will validate and add depth to those methods. It will further develop teachers’ toolkit of solutions for children’s challenging behaviors and offer a solution-oriented approach. In the long term, once our staff has been fully educated and is implementing the program, we hope to involve our parent body as well, offering education and inviting parents to join us on this journey.

We are so excited about this program and will continue to share as we go along. If you don’t already, I encourage you to follow @conciousdiscipline on Instagram for daily reminders and weekly tips; it’s an incredible resource for both parents and educators. Wishing you well!