Positive Behaviour Supports
Creating, Improving and Maintaining Positive School Climate
The role of positive school climate in achieving academic and social/emotional/behavioural goals for students has become a major focus for many teachers and administrators, particularly in the light of competing pressures (e.g., cultural diversity, mental health) and increasing demands for accountability. There is a growing research and evidence base regarding the use of a positive behaviour support (PBS) approach, including specific steps that can be used class-wide and school-wide to focus on particular values and behaviours identified within the class or school. The PBS approach includes the creation of a common language, common expectations for students/staff, and explicit instruction of these values and expectations to students. It also includes the collection of data to guide planning so the resources available are used in most effective and efficient manner possible within each school and frequent positive support for appropriate behaviour.
This workshop will focus on the how-to’s in creating, improving and maintaining a positive school climate, with examples from K to 12, including strategies to address cultural diversity and mental health.
*Positive behaviour support (PBS) is a dynamic problem-solving process involving goal identification, information gathering, support plan design, implementation and, most importantly, the monitoring of subsequent student behaviour. Ultimately the goal is to act as a reinforcement tool for students to reduce inappropriate behaviour and increase positive behaviour. Further information regarding PBS may be found at:
Biography:
This workshop will be presented by Jean Bacon, retired teacher, consultant, coordinator and superintendent of student services. Jean has experience working in urban and rural school divisions, K to 12, as well as with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education regarding Caring and Respectful Schools. She has over a decade of experience with PBS. Currently, she is the Saskatchewan education coordinator for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health as well as a member of the Saskatoon Preschool Foundation Board, the Saskatchewan Council for Exceptional Children executive and the Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports-Soutien au comportement positif (PBIS-SCP) Canada Network.
Functional Behaviour Assessment
Description:
This session will focus on the basic components of a functional behaviour assessment (FBA), the procedures used to identify target behaviour(s), and the variables that are maintaining the challenging behaviours. The presentation will also include information on evidence-based interventions and methods to teach more adaptive responses so that the individual can learn more effective ways to meet his or her needs.
Biography:
Mary Newton is currently employed as a Consultant with the Cognitive Disability Strategy and has a contract with the Prairie Spirit School Division as a Behaviour Support Specialist. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Science from McMaster University. She also completed a post graduate certificate in Advanced Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Intervention Training through the University of New Brunswick as well as training on the Assessment and Analysis of Severe and Challenging Behavior through the Institute for Applied Behavior Analysis. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 10 years and specializes in behaviour assessment and intervention.