Teachers play a vital role in not just delivering lessons but also in nurturing students, helping them grow, and keeping them focused. Managing a classroom can be tough, with various challenges like behavior problems and disruptions. A recent story highlights a new approach some educators are using to address these issues.
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta made a significant change about two years ago. The school aimed to promote kindness among students and decided to focus on building a positive school culture instead of solely sticking to lesson plans. Each morning, teachers start with a simple question, such as asking students about their favorite pizza topping or what makes them happy.
Principal Kimberly Sewell explained that every day, teachers take 30 seconds to connect with students before diving into lessons. This approach encourages teachers to prioritize relationships with students first and address behavior issues later. Since implementing this program, discipline referrals have reportedly dropped by about half, and the school received a Kindness Designation for 2025-26 from Teach Kindness.
Additionally, there have been fewer punishments, and students are sent to the principal’s office less often. Attendance rates have improved, and instances of fighting have decreased as students learn positive ways to resolve conflicts.
In recent years, many American schools have begun adopting “restorative practices,” which have shown positive outcomes. Previously, schools often used “exclusionary discipline,” which involved removing students with behavior issues from the classroom through suspensions and detentions. Research indicates that this approach often worsens behavior problems and takes away valuable learning time, particularly for minor issues.
As zero-tolerance policies became more common, schools have started to explore different methods. Instead of suspending students, those using restorative practices may offer counseling, mediation, and strategies for conflict resolution. They might also create spaces for students to calm down when needed. When a student disrupts or hurts someone, they are expected to take steps to make things right rather than just being punished.
Some schools have even replaced detention with mindfulness and meditation, showing some success. However, a large study found that a universal mindfulness curriculum did not improve overall student mental health. A significant study from the University of Chicago Education Lab examined high schools in the Chicago Public Schools system, finding that schools that used restorative practices experienced a notable decrease in student arrests on campus and a reduction in out-of-school suspensions.
This approach can greatly impact students’ lives by resolving conflicts, guiding better choices, and allowing students to return to their studies more effectively. It is encouraging to see academic research being applied successfully in schools. Research has shown that children from challenging home environments may struggle with behavior at school.
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Source: Upworthy, by Evan Porter