The Beginning of a Blessing

I have to remember Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.


I am at a loss of words for the innocence that many kiddos have been robbed of. I don't understand the suffering our kiddos go through or the home situations they go home to. I worry and cannot even begin to fathom what children will be like in 10 or even 5 years.

It seems like there are always new discipline programs schools are turning to because we are desperate to help our children. I have been trained in Capturing Kids Hearts and Time to Teach. If you journey out into cyberspace, you find tons and tons of ideas about clip charts. We often turn to threats about missing recess or bribes about things from a treasure box that may only temporarily fix the problem or the situation.

I am not here to say anything negative about what you do in your classroom or to change you. Everyone needs to do what works for them. Take the time though to read this and reflect on your heart because even if you just walk away with a few parts of CD you will be changed and so will your kiddos. =)

What is comes down to I believe is what you think the purpose of discipline is.

About 5 years I came across a website with a poem about being a School Family. It then linked to Becky Bailey's website about Conscious Discipline. I ordered the book and was excited to learn more about building a School Family. Little did I know then that I had found a blessing that would change me as a teacher forever.

When I read this, I knew Conscious Discipline understood my heart and my struggle:


"I know many teachers throughout the world live in conflict. On one hand, they know the hardships many of their children face. On the other hand, they know the hardships these children create in their classrooms. This conflict, unresolved in teachers, hardens the soul. I hear the unspoken cry of teachers-they are shouting as loud as the children. We all need help. We need new skills, not quick fixes. We need a way to resolve our internal conflicts and be the person we want children to become. We need to be compassionate without being permissive. We need to be firm without being disrespectful. We need changes that start from within us--changes that heal the our souls, strengthen our character and improve our willpower--so we are strong enough to do the same for the children who walk through our doors and in our halls" Conscious Discipline p. 8


I do understand the battles my kiddos go through and the impact their home life has on their behavior. But I also strongly believe we cannot use that as an excuse. I have always believed and told my kiddos that I care enough about them to let them know that their behavior is not okay and it is not helping them be the best they can be.

Our journey through the book will probably change because leading a book study through my blog is so new to me and I am not sure the best way to do it....so please be patient with me and offer any suggestions you might have. I want this journey through CD to help everyone....not just those with the book.

I am not setting any date about when you need to have a chapter read by because it is summer and I don't want due dates. =)

I also want you to be able to take your time through the book because there is so much to wrap your head around and if you are like me, there will be LOTS and LOTS of reflection.

We are going to start with the introduction. As you read the introduction, here are some questions to think about:

*What are most discipline models built on?


*What is the goal of the School Family?


*What 3 premises are CD built on?


*Since change must begin with ourselves, which belief on page 3 speaks to your heart?


*Why is self control such a crucial part of CD? What does this mean to you?


*What is the purpose of the 7 Powers? The 7 skills?

I'll be back in a few days to share my thoughts on the introduction and the obstacles I have faced on my journey as well as the HUGE impact CD has had on me. I would love to hear your thoughts or questions so be sure and leave a heart note.

This is a journey that begins from the heart.

From My Heart to Yours,