Hot off the Press!

Ross Hopple and his co-presenter, Maurine Larkin just completed the WBT conference in Pennsylvania. Ross, a veteran elementary school teacher, and soon-to-be assistant principal, delivered the conference with Maurine to over fifty educators from far and wide. Teachers had traveled not only from within Pennsylvania, but from as far as Illinois and Connecticut too. Ross told me the overriding reaction from all participants was excitement, and wanted to be sure to thank his invaluable co-presenter, Maurine, pointing out that she "brought the administrative perspective of Whole Brain Teaching to our seminar as well as linking brain research to the reason why Whole Brain Teaching is so effective." Written comments from participants such as "tremendous!", "fascinating" and "an easy way to get kids involved" underscored the success of their conference. Many commented on how they couldn't wait to get back to work, and all the teachers felt "reinvigorated!" Congratulations Ross and Maurine--let's hear it for Whole Brain Teaching!

Critics' Corner

Industrial Strength Power Teaching

(WBT was formerly Power Teaching). Be honest. Are you having difficulty with classroom management? Are you still using the "carrot and stick" approach (incentives and consequences)? If you feel as if you have a truly unmotivated, difficult class where all the students seem immune to consequences and punishments, then stop using consequences and punishments! This eBook gives detailed strategies for you to use. Based on sound educational psychology, this book will have you actually enjoying your class once again! Sounds too good to be true? Try it, what have you got to lose? I, personally struggled with middle school behaviorally challenged kids, and thought I had tried it all. When I started WBT, it was like I had discovered some secret magic! Here's a link to the website. http://powerteachers.net/ Check out the forum, see if there's a conference near you soon, and enjoy your students once again! THEY deserve WBT.

Testimonials - Yes, you can use WBT! Read success stories from real teachers

My own story goes like this. I started teaching in a middle school, specializing in classes with behavioral "challenges" for want of a better euphemism. I knew at once (yes, even in my disastrous first year) that I loved this teaching thing. But I also knew my classroom management lacked a lot. So I observed excellent teachers in my school, I trained in Harry Wong techniques, then CHAMPS, then I tried a blend of them all. I was doing alright, but still I would go home tired and wishing for more success for my students. Then, I stumbled across a video on YouTube and watched some crazy guy called Chris Biffle doing something completely new. I read everything I could find on the Internet about what was then called Power Teaching (now Whole Brain Teaching). I practiced at home in front of the mirror (yes, really!) and then daringly introduced it to my new students in my new High School classes. I had so many fears. Would 9th graders think it was too babyish? Would they gang up on me and sabotage it? Which incentives should I use? and on and on. I must have emailed Chris Biffle and Jeff Battle a gazillion times but they always replied with detailed support and instructions. Hand on my heart, my students LOVED it! What's more, I loved it. No more detentions (absolutely NO more referrals!) and no more stress. Just FUN and learning. I urge you all to try it. See the link to WBT website for all the FREE downloads, and for contact info. If you are secondary, then Jeff Battle and Chris Biffle are the experts, if you are elementary contact Jay and Chris R.

Others who have "seen the light" please post your success stories here.

Positive Trash Talkin'

If you have a teacher or student "shout out," here's the place to post it. Positive trash talkin' goes like this: To that amazing principal from Alabama, who brought her team of lead teachers to the Louisiana conference, YOU ROCK! Other principals got nothing on you! They just stay with their "safe" ways and their skepticism! NOT YOU! You blow them all out of the water!!!

Your Feedback

If you participated in the Louisiana WBT conference, post a comment to let us know how much you learned. We are keen to spread the WBT word to all educators, so that students all over America will love to be in school, will learn in a climate of positive support, and so that teachers will discover how much fun it is to be in a classroom. What? Not having fun with your classes? Psh! You need to talk to a WBTeacher!

National WBT Louisiana Conference

What a three day whirlwind! If you were lucky enough to make it to beautiful Louisiana, and to the WBT conference, then you will know what I am talking about. Biffle and the crew sure packed in a lot of great information and teaching strategies in just three days. And I have never seen so many educators (maybe 400 or so of us) laughing so hard whilst learning! I have been Whole Brain Teaching now for a year and I came away with so much more than I could have hoped for! Specific strategies for individual "reluctant" students, plus indispensable approaches to whole classes of students who just don't want to be in school. Until they get to your WBT classroom!