School suspensions are an adult behavior | Rosemarie Allen | TEDxMileHigh

There is an epidemic of school suspensions in the U.S. and the downstream consequences are severe. Adults suspend students, and while that may sound obvious, Rosemarie Allen realized that the problem might be the solution. When dealing with the difficult behaviors of children, what if we turned our focus inward?

Dr. Rosemarie Allen works passionately to ensure that children have access to high-quality early childhood programs that are developmentally and culturally appropriate. She teaches classes at Metro State University focused on raising teachers’ awareness of the impact equity, privilege, and power can have in the classroom. Dr. Allen serves as an intern on the Early Childhood Task Force with President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative and is a respected keynote speaker on culturally responsive practices and cultural competence.

[marcusferrier]

This should be a mandatory watch at every school. This woman hit the spot.

[timarnold]

My elementary school teachers never suspended unruly students. They would send us to the principal's office (a man in those days). Get a 30 minute lecture about what I did to win a trip to see the principal, then sent to see Mr. Banks, the school's head janitor. I would spend the time until lunch or until the end of the day, vacuuming the chalk dust out of blackboard erasers or unpacking boxes of janitor supplies and stocking the supply shelves. Mr. Banks told us war stories about his time in WWII and Korea and talked about bullies and disruptors on a global scale. It sank in. I went back to my old elementary school when I was 24. I went looking for Mr. Banks and thank him for being a kind and gentle soul who took the sting out of on-campus corrective measures. When I was told he had passed away the previous year, I bawled. Schools need more people like Mr. Banks.

[juliesloan]

I work in a program for children with behavior issues. Thank you so much for giving me a renewed sense of purpose. We rarely suspend our students, and instead work towards restorative justice.

[PatriciaRaybon]

You're moving mountains, Dr. Rosemarie Allen. Thank you for your leadership and witness!

[bronzekitten]

I had to watch this video for class and I have seen toddlers being asked to leave because their behaviour was aggressive, but what we didn’t look at was why this child was being so aggressive. Now watching this video made me look back and see where I could have done better as an ECE and I’m still working in the childcare field and I see the older children with their behaviours and I have to wonder what am I not totally seeing, but I know from working with children with different personalities not everyone is going to get along but we can keep them from hurting each other, and so far we haven’t asked any of the children to leave. It’s nice to be more inclusive.

[epicbingo]

Beautiful reminder for not just teachers but parents too. Thank you!!!

[ralphwilliamson]

This video is a "must see" for every parent and teacher of young children.

[melthomas]

This is everything I practise daily. Your values are my values and I am so grateful for this TedTalk - I will share it regularly until I learn how to communicate this as powerfully as you. My babies are the pupils most struggle to teach and I love each and everyone of them. They exhaust me at times but they are special and talented in their own way. If we all continue to seek the positives in each other and focus on those we will bring out the best in each other. We owe that to our pupils. Again, thank you.

[carlenedean]

She has many valid points. Great talk!!!

[sammckissick]

It's all something to think about.Yes children want to be liked want to be accepted want to be loved.If they're misbehaving there is a reason somewhere.We should seek understanding but we can't let misbehavior deny teaching and learning.I teach middle schoolers.It's tough.I do believe we need to teach them social skills not just punish.

[avivasnyderman]

A must see for parents but Every daycare worker should be required to watch this!

[sheilabrown]

Great video. We all have to remember that it is not about the children's behavor, it is about how we as adults react to that behavior. A very eye opening video Thank you

[lancerd]

I'm a dog trainer. I see so many "problem" dogs just like that kid trying to get the teacher's approval, their owners just never pay attention to when they're being good, so the only attention they get is punishment. I often compare my work with my Mother's, who is a special educator and the similarities are amazing. She once told me about a mother that repeatedly screamed at her preschooler "just be good!". Mum asked her if she had ever explained to her child what specific behaviors being good entailed. She hadn't, so her child had no idea what she was even saying. It's so important when teaching any species to notice and acknowledge when you are being offered the behavior that you want, rather than just taking it for granted and only paying attention to mistakes.

[nicktaber]

This is so healing to watch. So many children are treated this way. Time to stop f*cking with children.

[cmonster]

I understand the curiosity of children but I find it interesting that the speaker did so many things instead of asking the teacher "why." Sometimes parents need to intervene and teach their children about safety and respect of the property of others when their kids repeatedly do things to get into this type of trouble.

[jedrichardson]

It all starts in the home. We cannot expect our children to be taught how to behave by their teachers!

[ruthresetar]

I am so busy controlling my behavior right now, I am speechless.

[nuhaelhariry]

رائع...كلام مؤثر يجب علي كل معلم ان يشاهده

[matthewandrade]

"What if we intentionally taught children how to.... " . The possibilities !!

[salihcavdar]

You are speaking my language! Climbed up to see the bird eye! It is extreme but I tried to see if my pee was gonna burn for real!