Effective communication is the theme at Yavneh Academy this year, as students and teachers are focused on growing in this area and developing effective communication strategies and skills. On Election Day, faculty had an inservice day and learned with and from Dr. Thomas MacIntyre. Dr. MacIntyre, (affectionately known as Dr. Mac) is a professor of special education at Hunter College of the City University of New York where he directs the graduate program in the education of students with mental health and behavior disorders. Dr. Mac is the author of four books and his informative BehaviorAdvisor.com, is the world’s most visited classroom behavior management website.

In his humorous, dynamic manner, Dr. Mac presented practical and easy to implement research- based positive techniques and communication tips for teachers to help promote motivation and cooperative behavior, solve problems (or better yet, prevent them), promote self-control and strengthen their positive relationships with their students.

Throughout the day, Dr. Mac presented on three themes. First, the way we phrase our language and even the words that we use can promote cooperation and good feelings in the classroom. He went through specific language to avoid with students and language that fosters positive relationships and cooperation. Dr. Mac also stressed that there have been thirteen types of praise studied in research and only two have been shown to work; with some even being counterproductive and harmful. Teachers spent time learning how to praise students effectively and how to utilize criticism that teaches and motivates.

Teachers left Dr. Mac’s day of learning with a renewed commitment to communicate with students in a way that promotes motivation, cooperative behavior and self-control and builds positive relationships.