By Kimberly McMillian
Correspondent
DAYTON, Tenn. — In July, Rhea County schoolteachers and administrators will learn how to capture kids’ hearts.
It’s not a medical thing, it’s a school thing.
In the three-day workshop called “Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” participants will learn how to develop self-managing classrooms, techniques for dealing with behavioral issues and how to create a “safe, learning environment for students and a level of trust” between themselves and students, said Dedra Sims, Rhea County Schools professional development coordinator.
Topics include anxiety theory, listening and communication skills and teaching styles.
CAPTURING KIDS HEARTS* Develop safe, trusting, self-managing classrooms* Improve classroom attendance by building motivation and responsibility* Decrease delinquent behaviors such as disruptive outbursts, violent acts, drug use and other risky behavior* Reinforce the role of emotional intelligence in teaching* Develop students’ empathy for diverse cultures and backgroundsSource: The Flippen Group
Rhea County Director of Schools Jerry Levengood said everyone will leave with “new, innovative ways of educating children” and the training is expected to have an impact on students in the 2010-11 season.
Six locations across the county will host the workshops so participants can be close to their homes, and teachers will be sent by the Flippen Group, a consulting group from Texas, to lead the sessions, Ms. Sims said.
“Capturing Kids’ Hearts” was established by the Flippen Group to help teachers create better relationships with their students. Founder Flip Flippen’s motto — “If you have a child’s heart, you have his head” — is the basis of the workshop.
“Capturing Kids’ Hearts” will cost less than $200,000, according to Mr. Levengood, and was the first program implemented after Rhea County Schools was granted $875,000 to spend over the next four years in the first phase of the Race to the Top national competition.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@bellsouth.net.