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I'm about -thisclose- to having a new job! As many of you know, I teach. Well, the economy sucks and enrollment is down, so I don't have a job next year. That's fine though, because I've grown out of the job I'm in.
So...I went-a-searching, and found an amazing opportunity. It's a wilderness camp for at-risk youth, but it's much different than most.
I'll be living in the middle of the Ocala National Forest in central Florida (I'll get to see a bear!!) working with adjudicated youth ages 10-17. These are all kids who are referred by the court system. It's a very positive camp...there is no punishment. When anything goes wrong, a huddle-up is called, and the problem is worked out from there. The group stays in the huddle up until the problem is resolved, which might take all day. Essentially, the kids learn from natural consequences. Punishment doesn't exist in the 'real world', but consequences do. That's why this method (though unique) is so effective.
Also, expression is encouraged. If a kid is sitting there screaming and swearing at you, you just kind of sit there and ignore the swearing and screaming (though kind of listen to what is being said). After they're done, tell them you're proud of them for expressing themselves, but let's try it *this* way next time. That way, they realize that what they did wasn't wrong, just the way they handled it.
I'm really excited. I found out today that I essentially have the job - I just need to do a 2-day camp visit to 'cement' it. So yeah....I'm pretty excited
So...I went-a-searching, and found an amazing opportunity. It's a wilderness camp for at-risk youth, but it's much different than most.
I'll be living in the middle of the Ocala National Forest in central Florida (I'll get to see a bear!!) working with adjudicated youth ages 10-17. These are all kids who are referred by the court system. It's a very positive camp...there is no punishment. When anything goes wrong, a huddle-up is called, and the problem is worked out from there. The group stays in the huddle up until the problem is resolved, which might take all day. Essentially, the kids learn from natural consequences. Punishment doesn't exist in the 'real world', but consequences do. That's why this method (though unique) is so effective.
Also, expression is encouraged. If a kid is sitting there screaming and swearing at you, you just kind of sit there and ignore the swearing and screaming (though kind of listen to what is being said). After they're done, tell them you're proud of them for expressing themselves, but let's try it *this* way next time. That way, they realize that what they did wasn't wrong, just the way they handled it.
I'm really excited. I found out today that I essentially have the job - I just need to do a 2-day camp visit to 'cement' it. So yeah....I'm pretty excited
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