CC image from emokr https://flic.

kr/p/tjNSb
Connecting With the
Disconnected Chris Wejr
Fort Nelson School District
February 26, 2016
www.chriswejr.com
Coming back…
Write down your greatest memory
as an educator.

What is the single best moment

with a student that has stood out to
you over the years?

Share this STORY with a partner.

What are 2 words that comes to
mind when reflecting and
hearing our stories about
students and teachers?

Write the 2 words on the sheet.

Post at the back of the room.
Connections.
Relationships
.
Moments.
 Lessons
from AMY

Slow down
Be interesting
Be interested
Be more random
I used to think…

But now I think…

Connection: WHY?

CC Image from Megan Hess https://flic.kr/p/8o2eA2

 2011 Study of
Canadian Youth
http://bit.ly/1WpSyJX
Percentage of students who
feel “I belong at school”

Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011

 Percentage of students who
feel that “teachers care about
me”.

Public Health Agency of Canada, 2011

Concern: “As young people progress
through school, they are less
connected to school, at a time when
their emotional well-being is most
vulnerable.”

Opportunity: “Positive school

environments and higher levels of teacher
support are associated with more positive
levels of mental health and lower levels of
behavioural problems in young people.”
We cannot teach a child
without a connection.
 6 x 5 x 10
6 hours a day - 5 days a week - 10 months
a year

From Carrie Gelson http://bit.ly/1WpTFJv

 “Connection is
why we are here.
We are hardwired to
connect with
others
-- Brene Brown

cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by Andrew:

http://flickr.com/photos/30235101@N06/3344044448/
 Relationships create experiences.
Experiences create outcomes.
We need to know you to grow you.
-- Cheryl Bachelder, CEO,
Popeyes

CC Image by Pix Spotting https://flic.kr/p/B6Hfsw

Remember
Your
WHY

CC Image from Hartwig HKD https://flic.kr/p/aqNgBr

 They may forget what you said…
but they will never forget how
you made them feel.
—Carl W. Buehner
CC Image from Marzia http://flic.kr/p/524Dsy
…With the disconnected
Connecting…
 Who are…

the disconnected?
CC Image from Sandra Donoso https://flic.kr/p/sGqLo
 The kids who
need the most
LOVE will often
ask for it in the
most unloving
ways.
~ Russell Barkley

CC image from Madstreetz https://flic.kr/p/3n5Rik

 HOW
do we connect?
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be Interested.
Make the time.
Listen.
 CC Image from Toni Carbo https://flic.kr/p/4tNrxq

Make the TIME to connect.

Make it a priority.
Greet them… Every Child. Every day.
Small gestures make a big
impact

Video:
 You are valued.
You matter.

--
Angela Maiers

CC Image from TEDx PSUBerks https://flic.kr/p/p8cnMo

Learning with meaning… time for connection.

http://youtu.be/-S-5EfwpFOk
Listen with your eyes

CC Image from Richard Wood https://flic.kr/p/8iYKxc

 Listen More

Talk Less

CC Image from Mollybob https://flic.kr/p/691uE j

Are we REALLY listening?

Video: https://youtu.be/-4EDhdAHrOg
 Seek First to
Understand
-- Stephen
Covey
Image: http://flic.kr/p/j3VJg
 Speak WITH Students

CC Image from M. Coghlan https://flic.kr/p/djHWoN

To a child, trust is spelled T-I-M-E
Josh Shipp
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be Interested. Make the time. Listen.

2. Start with strengths:
theirs AND yours.
 CC Image by Ryan Haddad https://flic.kr/p/inZ5S

We find what we are looking for.

Connecting with Dom
Dom
CC Image From Tony Baldasaro https://flic.kr/p/cDBuUs

Find the
Fireflies
Rachel Macy Stafford

CC Image from Terry Priest https://flic.kr/p/hrxqQ

Create leadership opportunities in
areas of strength.
Use YOUR
Get involved.
Strengths
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be Interested. Make the time. Listen.

2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build
on success.
Find, Capture, and
Share
the GOOD.

CC image from Sarah Reid https://flic.kr/p/5KMhLN

Celebrate small successes…
privately

CC image from B. Tulk https://flic.kr/p/ddfcA8

 Create a NEW streak.

A streak starts with ONE.

Start a NEW streak.
CC Image by Ladyvee9 https://flic.kr/p/8dwV21
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.

2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
CC Image from Anthony Easton https://flic.kr/p/gNJvS
Share who you are. Let people
in.
Let it go.

Smile.
Laugh.
Be engaging. Be relevant.

CC Image from Tim Lauer https://flic.kr/p/81HwDe

“Would YOU want to be in your class?”
 Image from Jeff Dickson

Making school meaningful

Photo: Mike Carter, Alaska Highway News
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.

2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of
belonging.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
We were created for significance…
one of the most dangerous things
that can
happen to us is
the feeling that we
don’t matter.
- Angela Maiers

CC Image from Royce Bair https://flic.kr/p/7icRw2

 The
Wrecking Ball

A Story
of Inclusion
and Belonging

CC Image from Michele M.F. https://flic.kr/p/qhgXmZ

 Does every student feel
worthy in some way?
Does every child feel like they
belong?
6 Keys to Connecting

1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.

2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of belonging.
6. Lead with your heart.
Teach and lead
with an
ethic of care

CC Image from John K. https://flic.kr/p/8fC6yP

“Students learn what they care about, from
people they care about, and
who, they know, care about them.”
Barbara Harrell Carson
Photo from RE Mountain Sec

Every kid needs a champion.

Rita Pierson
Alex
 6 KEYS to Connecting
1. Be interested. Make the time. Listen.
2. Start with strengths: theirs AND yours.
3. Celebrate and build on success.
4. Be interesting.
5. Create a sense of belonging.
6. Lead with your heart.
HOW do we
do this with
so many
students?

CC Image from Jack Lyons https://flic.kr/p/wTg4L

Start with noticing what you
ALREADY do to connect.

Notice the connections you

already have.
 Start small.
Start with ONE.
 CC Image from Denise Krebs https://flic.kr/p/edG2ee

School
Culture

Create the time and space for

connections beyond your class.
Create ways for new students to connect
with each other and to the school
Valentine’s Connection Project

Langley Secondary School

My Students  OUR Students
“The Sleeper”

https://youtu.be/mZedcQoY0iw
CC Image from Kynan Tait https://flic.kr/p/drn16T

Remember your WHY.

Make it a priority.
Start with ONE.
Go together.
Connect with the disconnected.
 Thank you!
www.chriswejr.com