Decision-making in times of stress

Today I was interviewed by the Christian Science Monitor about tornado preparedness.  Apart from the cool part that it's the largest national news outlet I've ever spoken to, it has some good information that parents of school children, educators, and people at large should know about tornadoes and schools.

It is easy to look back and sharpshoot a person's decisions with 20/20 hindsight, but it's quite another thing when nature's fury is barrelling down toward you, and you have to make decisions that can affect hundreds of lives, all while battling severe stress, fear, and striving to not give in to your body's overwhelming urge to flee.

I would like to say I hope I never have to be in that situation, but I have.  In 2002 I was an assistant principal at Clinton Young Elementary, in MSD Perry Twp., when an EF3 tornado hit the roof of Southport Middle School.  This building was right behind ours, about 100 yards away, and the track of the tornado came within 50 yards of my school.  It tore portions of the roof off of our school, letting rain water cascade into the halls, and terrorizing the students and staff sheltering there. 

My heart rate was really high most of the day, and I didn't get home until after 11pm.  The shakes lasted for over half an hour.  Making a decision in that environment is very difficult, and it makes one prone to error.  We want to review what happened, make improvements, and implement the changes, but please keep in mind the environment in which those decisions are made, and make the critiques compassionately.

There, but for the Grace of God, we may go.

Crimes against Children 4-25-13

A 16-year old girl was victimized by a 41-year old former assistant principal

A Michigan high school is being sued for covering up a sexual assault to protect a basketball player

A former teacher was found guilty of sexually abusing a 14-year old autistic girl

In Minneapolis, a man was charged with possessing over 8,000 images of child pornography

While on probation for a previous federal sex crime conviction, a Maryland man is charged for possession of child pornography

A Dallas, TX, middle school teacher is charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year old student

A member of the Yavapai Nation was sentenced for sexually abusing a 14-year old girl

A member of the Navajo Nation was sentenced to 17 years for kidnapping and sexually abusing a minor, causing serious bodily injury

School Assault Digest 3-9-13

Hartford Teen Assaulted On Way To School - Courant.com

Assault charge being considered against St. Johns assistant principal - Lansing State Journal  


Assault charges filed in air gun shooting at elementary school - MySA.com

Fargo police investigate assault report at Davies High - WDAY

Police make arrest in alleged Davies High School assault - INFORUM  

Pennsville student drunk at school, assaults staff members: police - NJ.com 

Student Charged With Assault By Dangerous Weapon After Incident at Middle School - Peabody, MA Patch

Indiana Association of School Principals Fall Conference

Last weekend I had the honor of facilitating and presenting at both the State Assistant Principal's and the Principal's Conferences.  Dr. Todd Bess recently took charge as the Executive Director for the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP), and he saw a 31% increase in attendance at the AP Conference, from 99 last year, to 130 this year.  The Fall Conference, for the Principals, had around 450 attendees.

Dr. Bess also got some big names to keynote.  Dr. Todd Whitaker, Col. Art Athens, Dr. Andrew Hargreaves, and the venerable Dr. Dave Emmert provided laughs, insights, and words of wisdom for those in attendance.

Teri Hoke and Penny Moss once again did their outstanding work to make these conferences hum, and the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown served as an excellent host as the greatest educational minds in Indiana got together to talk about education.

As the reigning Assistant Principal of the State of Indiana, I presided over the AP Conference Saturday and Sunday, until new Assistant Principals were crowned.  Between those duties, and serving as a facilitator, my weekend was kept hopping.

Saturday, and again on Monday, I presented during breakout sessions to my fellow administrators.  With the new evaluation models that are taking more and more of the administrator's time during the day, I wanted to share with them a research-based training program that they could use that wouldn't add a lot of time to their schedule.

My colleagues received the information well, and we had ourselves a couple of very productive discussions on school safety tenets.  My audiences were receptive, professional, and I even came away with some new thoughts on school safety.

I think Dr. Bess has a bright future as the Executive Director of IASP, and the future is bright for the school administrators of Indiana.

Safe Havens, International

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Mom Banned from School after 2 Employees Assaulted

Daytona Beach, FL

A Deltona mom has been banned from Heritage Middle School after disrupting her daughter's chorus performance, pushing an assistant principal and refusing to cooperate with sheriff's deputies, according to a report obtained Saturday.

A deputy was called Friday morning after Yamashita Neal, 31, began screaming at one of the Deltona school's teachers and shoved the assistant principal, according to a sheriff's report. Chorus teacher Elizabeth Coldiron told the deputy Neal came after her following a conversation with Neal's daughter about changes to her performance during the event for parents.

Assistant Principal Maite Porter asked the angry mom to leave but Neal refused and pushed Porter away, according to the report. Neal only left the cafeteria with her daughter when she saw the deputy approaching.

Neal repeatedly refused to stop and threatened to “sue” if anyone touched her as the deputy followed her to her car, according to the report. The mom was “escorted” from her vehicle once additional deputies arrived.

Safe Havens, International

Knightstown Intermediate School Stop Bullying Convocation

Today I had the honor of talking to the Panthers of Knightstown Intermediate School about bullying.  A teacher, Tabatha Brown, found my name on the Internet while searching for things written by Michael Dorn.  Mike and I have written together a couple of times which is why my name came up.

The students were typical students of that age, laughing, smiling, some looking morose.  I was able to introduce myself to a few of them prior to the convocation.  After 25 years in education, I have not tired of meeting kids, making them smile, and hearing what they have to say.  A group of eighth graders made a legal comment, so I jokingly referred to them as my "legal team".  They seemed to like it.

As I walked back and forth, to see how far my microphone cord would stretch, Ms. Rodgers, the Assistant Principal, walked by.  As she stepped over the cord, I told my legal team that I would trip her for $20.  They grinned, and informed me that doing so would be bullying.  I agreed that it could be, but that it would be worth it to see her stomp a mudhole in me.  They laughed at that, but I could tell by their response that Ms. Rodgers was respected and liked.

It was also evident as the convocation began.  She walked down the gym, holding up her hand for quiet, and the whole gym very quickly became quiet.  I was very impressed.

As I spoke over the next half hour, I could see that, by and large, the kids were listening.  They interacted well with me during the convocation, and they had great questions afterwards.  All in all, I thought the session went very well.

The overall behavior of the children in a school is a good indicator of how well the staff is doing.  I walked the halls during a passing period, and saw several examples of positive interaction between staff and students.  I saw lots of smiling, and did not notice any tension.  I am sure it helped that it was the Friday before Thanksgiving, but I had the impression that the staff do a great job with their kids.

In my line of work, it is easy to see the negative things that kids do, and get a bit sour on the world.  Seeing the students of Knightstown Intermediate School reminded me of why I got into education in the first place, and also reminded me why I do what I do in school safety.

Thanks to Mrs. Brown for the invitation, and thanks to the principal Mr. Bundy, and Ms. Rodgerss for making it happen.

The kids at KIS are in great hands!

Safe Havens, International

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