When I was reading the article "Behavior
Management Tips" I found myself agreeing
with much of what was said. I, however had
a very negative reaction to the author's
assumption that children only need to have
their individual academic needs met. I
teach in a classroom with children who are
emotionally, behaviorally disturbed. These
children also have individual behavioral,
social, and emotional needs that need to be
met. The consequences are different for
different students based on there level of
fuctioning in these areas. With schools
integrating most students into regular
classrooms, all teachers need to be aware
of the individual needs of students wether
they are academic or behavioral. My own son
has a disability in this area and is in a
regular second grade classroom. If his
individual needs were not being met, I
would be just as upset as the parent who
has a child with academic needs that aren't
being met. Don't get me wrong, I want the
teacher to have expectations for his
behavior, but thay have to meet his needs.
They should be designed to help him grow in
his ability and not punish him for his lack
of ability in this area. Emotional growth
is just as important as academic growth.

Lynne Glover, lglover@beechwood.k12.ky.us,
2/20/02

This month's letters: