Barrow County School System (BCSS) educators appreciated the opportunity to hear from Brian Mendler as part of their professional learning. Bear Creek Middle School administrators scheduled the event to provide teachers resources and knowledge to help them work through classroom management challenges

When asked about the significance of the professional learning session with Mendler, Bear Creek principal Dr. Shane Lancaster stated that “connecting with students is the cornerstone of effective classroom management and overall student success. It is especially important to put increased emphasis on building positive relationships with our more challenging students. This event gave us the opportunity to inspire teachers, provide them with new strategies to address difficult situations, and to challenge them to look for new, innovative ways to meet the needs of students as individuals.”

Brian Mendler is a former teacher and classroom management professional who specializes in offering teachers guidance on positive ways to interact with students who many find the structure of school difficult. He emphasizes listening, acknowledging, and valuing all students to help improve their experiences and success in school. Mendler uses the challenges he’s overcome in his own life and applies that knowledge and experience to help understand student behavior and motivation. He guides educators to look beyond a student’s behavior to see the issues that may be triggering the behaviors.

Mendler encouraged teachers to consider root causes, most notably hunger, anger, loneliness, tiredness, and being scared, for student behaviors. According to Taylor Vandiver, a 6th grade science teacher at Bear Creek, Mendler’s transparency, real-world approach, and practical strategies for classroom management served as a solid launchpad for the new semester. “It’s crucial to remember that every child is different! We need to value their strengths, stay personally connected to them, and remind them that we [as teachers] are human too.” Rachel Shook, Bear Creek academic interventionist, stated that Mendler’s story and personal experiences as a student and a teacher served as powerful reminders of the impact educators can have on their students. “Mendler encouraged us to invest in every student, especially ‘that one [more challenging] kid,’ who needs someone to see them and believe in them.”

Thank you to BCSS District Partner in Education Bethlehem Church for providing the space for this event and lunch for attendees.