“I attended the workshop that you (Jonathan) did at the Arscht Center on February 9th 2009, and I wanted you to know that it has completely changed my life.  I immediately started implementing many of the things I learned in the workshop in the classroom and as a parent to my daughter who is 4. Thanks so much and know that the work that you do is changing lives every day!” -Sincerely, Kim Montero  Caribbean Elementary

” Since my teachers attended Katja’s class, I have observed an improvement in techniques used to help children resolve conflict. I have also noticed that my staff has been motivated to change the way they respond to problems as well as a more relaxed, joyful class environment.                    - Claudia Arenas, Assistant Director

“This course opened up a whole new world for me. My students really enjoy the songs and activities to connect with each other like a family. We practice the stress release throughout the day whenever we need it. It’s amazing to see how they calm themselves and work together.” - Marian Leonard, Preschool Teacher

“What I like about Conscious Discipline® is that it is practical, hands on, and do-able”.                 -Cristina Duran, teacher

Comments from 2-day Conscious Discipline® Workshop

Note: Participants/Respondents are from a variety of backgrounds- administration, pre-school, special needs, infant-toddler, elementary, and after-school teachers.  Groups of staff from the same centers reported helping each other to make a shift in their centers’ approach to discipline.

“I work in the office so but sometimes I substitute. The other day I was doing the breathing with the children. They love the apron. It’s a beautiful program. I just love it. It really makes sense. I like seeing the different things from your training going on in the classes.”

“I have become more motivated as a parent to try some of these things with my son. I am excited to see it works with me; I don’t get so upset. My husband even says, “Breathe..” I see the change in myself as a parent and the reaction in my son. I have been to several workshops with Becky and Katja and thought this will really work with my staff and with parents.”

“We use the stress release cube at morning circle and the greeting plate and the kids just love it!”

I remember you said, “If you only take one thing with you from this training, take the breathing.”  I started with that and now I have been inspired to share with staff. Everything is wonderful. I use it all. The book is wonderful.”

“I have used STAR when things get overwhelming. I notice children are breathing by themselves. One child I have to restrain- now I am able to remove myself emotionally -I used to think, “He’s trying to bug me” Now I think, “He needs help.” I start breathing when I am restraining him and I notice he starts to breathe with me. It calms me and the child. A mother of another child reported that her daughter reminds her, “Mommy, stop, take a deep breath.”  Another child has particularly benefited from the Classroom Jobs. He wants to help all the time. This has helped me a lot. At the end of the day, I am not frustrated. My school has continued training in Conscious Discipline every Friday. (facilitated by another teacher who attended the workshop) That really helps. When I am having a hard time, I read the book and it helps.”

“We started using “I noticed..”, the Star, Drain and Balloon and Wish Well. We started with staff. Out of the 2-day with you came the desire to have more training. We have a weekly meeting working through the book. We are taking 4 weeks with each principle. All the classes have jobs, There are I Love You Rituals in every class. We are more consistent and there is excitement and enthusiasm. Staff say “Give us more.” I like it that it empowers the assistants. We want all the staff to be on the same sheet of music.”

“We’re still using it! It’s really helped me as far as communicating with the kids. Things like, ‘I see you - are you being helpful or hurtful?” They really like the aprons for greeting. We do the Wish Well with the children’s pictures and the heart we made. When a child is absent, we put his picture in the heart and when he comes back, we say “You’ve been gone and you’ve been missed, where would you like your alligator kiss?” It’s made us see things a little different, dealing with the kids.”

“We’ve been using it in our after-care program. I told my boss it’s the best training I ever had. You guys taught us so much good stuff. Everyone should take this training. We have had so much fun teaching the things you taught us to the children. We use the stress release cube all the time. We made our own Safe Place. We use the “I miss you” when the kids are absent. We made our own picture rules like you suggested. We go on the website and download stuff. We want to be like the pioneers and present it to other after-care centers in the county. It was great.”

“I work with the teenagers and something we do now that we didn’t do before is when they get rowdy we stop and breathe and do the Pretzel and it really helps.  Everyday we have a “powwow” session where they can openly discuss things that are going on in school- they are under stress, too. We do role playing and they make a choice. It’s really opened them up - we have a better communication flow. I notice how they are recognizing themselves when they are acting in a negative way. - I have used the I Love You Rituals with my daughter and I made a Safe Place in my house for her. It really helps.“

Comments from participants in a 5-day Conscious Discipline® workshop from the Follow-up Questionnaire:

I want to thank you. Last year I was ready to leave Pre-K for an older grade. Now I realize that I can make a difference in Pre-k and help students to work well in a group setting and to love learning.

How has your approach to discipline changed since participating in the 5-day Summer Heat Conscious Discipline® workshop? “I now look at discipline problems as a way to teach and empower the children. To help them understand to use communication as a tool to handle their conflicts. I try not to view discipline problems as a negative but as a learning vessel.”

Please provide 1 anecdote about a particular child or situation where the CD® approach has been helpful: “I have a student that has problems following the rules and or procedures, so we use the picture rule cards. We review the expected behavior using the option cards before an activity allowing the child to visualize the appropriate behaviors. This particular child has responded well to this strategy.”

What were some of the helpful or most useful features of the training? “The breathing techniques and the rituals. Also how to use the safe place appropriately.”

What could improve the training experience? “I feel the week-long training was excellent. I would not change a thing. “I will keep on using the techniques I learned in the workshop.  So far everything has worked.  I will also review the book from time to time to get more ideas to incorporate in my routines.  Thank you so much for an amazing experience!  I would definitely consider another workshop like this.”

“Keep up the good work! Please, teachers need many days to learn this. I was introduced to little bits of Conscious Discipline, but never had a full understanding and had many whys to implementing it so I never really implemented it until this 5 day workshop!”