We did a workshop in Odessa Texas today to 30 awesome elementary teachers! Goliad elementary is going for a whole school approach to WBT - they were amazing!!

That's amazing! Ten finger rolling woo with the Grand Salami! Give us some details!!!

We went to Goliad Elementary... where we met about 30 wonderful teachers (another 5-10 showed up after lunch...after their other workshop!) who are excited to use WBT throughout the entire school!! The worked for a full day 8:30 - 3 ... and some were still begging for more!!

The worked on the Big Six and had a split breakout for an hour so they could learn the card practice system and some of the other techniques. After lunch the watched two sample lessons, and then had 30 minutes to take a state standard and convert it into a sample intro WBT style lesson - then they presented to everyone. THEY DID GREAT!!!

We even got a chance for the "specials" teachers (music, PE, ect...) to brainstorm some ideas for how to use the system in their classroom and support and communicate with the classroom teacher!!

We videotaped our sessions... so we hope to get those out to you soon!!

Here's the question that came up in the end: "When we do the system full-scale, throughout the entire school, what happens to the students who go through the system for three or four years... are they going to get bored??" What do you guys think??

Sarah, here's what I think. One of the greatest things about WBT is that teachers can add their own flare to each and every lesson. Additionally, teachers already have quirks in their teaching styles that make them unique. I would think that once everyone is comfortable utilizing WBT techniques...that's when they begin to establish their own nuances that make their classrooms different from all the rest. Therefore it shouldn't become boring (a word you should never need to use with WBT). At least that's what I found in my own experiences.

I agree, and that is the opinion that we all held, and what we shared we took during the workshop. I look forward to working with that school again, it would be a fun challenge to help brainstorm ideas and techniques that would take them to the next level!!

that's great things went so well! I'm looking forward to seeing the videos.... esp. interested in seeing the specials teachers incoporating the strategies.

School-wide WBT....wow! We have some teachers that are gung-ho and others that claim it does not fit their personality. I would love to see that in action and know the kids must be on fire! Have you had any teachers resist the shift and how do you handle new teachers coming on board?

SReevesTX,
I was very excited to read this post on a whole school buy in as we are doing the same thing here. I too have been wondering about how does it work when everyone is doing it. Now that the school in Odessa is in their second year has there been any follow up? If you do contact them, please ask about the issue of student response to WBT in all classes.

Thanks, Jason

SReevesTX,

Your mention of the school wide buy-in here is the only mention of a whole school using WBT I have found on the forum. Are there any other schools that you, or the other Masters of WBT are aware of?

I would greatly appreciate any information or names of schools attempting this.

Thanks,

Jason

My entire school attended the conference in August. Each teacher is using WBT daily. Some I think are stronger than others but all are excited and on fire with it! The students school wide responded well and we are a k-6 school!

Dawn Nelson
WBT Intern

Dawn,
That is excellent news! May I ask what is the name of your school? From your other posts I assume you are in AZ, what city? I would like to contact your principal about what it took to implement the program.

Thanks,

Jason

We currently have two schools who are in the process of becoming Whole Brain Teaching model schools ... one is in Arizona and the other is in Southern California. Our two initial requirements were that 80% of the staff had agreed to use Whole Brain Teaching as their primary method of instruction and the second was that the principal agreed to be the lead teacher who would receive instruction directly from a WBT staff member. Both schools are doing remarkably well ... one reports that in the first two months of instruction student absences dropped from 1100 to 700 as compared with the previous year. In addition, office referrals dropped from an average of 3 per day to 3 per month! They're not ready yet to field inquiries ... but thus far, we've had a wonderful beginning.

Hi, according to the point that if the students will get bored of learning through WBT,, what I think is, this strategy depends on using both areas of the brain, as a result, every time you use this methodology in teaching, will look like as a new way a student receives. Remember! By time, the teacher will be very creative and will be able to come out with new ideas day after day.according to me personally, every new year is better than the previous one.whole brain teaching helps me a lot to be a successful teacher and a brainy one. I am very thankful to Chris Biffle.

Our school is not an official WBT school as of yet! I know we are all on board as teachers, we just need our principal to commit to being the model etc...

Actually, it is not that easy for even teachers or principals to accept any new methodoly or any kind of changes related to teaching, it is a big responsibilty to commit it. But we who blv in new things, it is different to us. According to me, I really have a problem at school. My students are always the best in both academic and behavior sides. But the year after, when I am not their teacher any more, parents start to complain, teachers start being jelous, I am always happy with my children in all levels. However, teachers didn't even ask me about why or what or how I did last year! Parents care..but it is all useless.. Anyway,, I always do my best. Thanks Chriss Biffle for helping me to be a successful teacher!

Dawn,

In that case, a 10 finger WOO to all the teachers!

I assume there was a period of growth where one or a few teachers were involved at first then it grew to become more accepted then on to wide spread use.

Can you think of any particular thing or series of events that caused the teachers in your school to "turn the corner" so that most or all of them came on board? Was it a teacher who championed the idea, or a head teacher who got the others to observe classes being taught in WBT? Or something else entirely? Any insight into this will be appreciated.

Thanks for putting some thought into this.

Jason

Hi Jason,

I found this website one day and started reading all of the ebooks. I watched Cris Biffle on the videos and I was hooked! I saw that he had something and I wanted to try it. I taught 6th grade last year and took it to my classroom. The kids loved it and I stuck to it consistently all year, adding pieces as I went along. My team mates quickly caught on and asked for my help. I began spreading the word so to speak with grade levels on my preps. I would go in and show them a quick part of WBT
and teach the kids along with them. I am lucky enough to have a principal that is flexible and trusts me. This past August when I asked to attend my first conference he said sure and lets open it up for everyone. He rearranged our first day day back so we could all attend. Without his support I wouldn't be able to do what I now love doing! At this time, I am doing staff developments on WBT at our meetings. If you would ike to talk to me or my principal I can send you my phone number in an email!
Dawn Nelson
WBT Intern

Dawn,

It is wonderful that you were able to influence the whole school on such a positive issue. Congratulations to both you and your principal.

The way that it happened is very encouraging for me. Effectively that means if I find a champion at each campus more than half the battle is won.

Also, the way you went about it is very encouraging. All the learning I am have done on WBT is through the site, books and video. Of course I have read every last forum entry (many hours) At this point I have not been able to attend any conferences because I am in Vietnam.

Phone conversations with both you and your principal would be great. Thank you so much for the offer. Minor problem, since I am in Vietnam that puts me exactly on the opposite side of the world. We are the same time as New York (standard time) except 12 hours off - midnight here, noon there. Also, the phone service here is a bit problematic. I had my computer worked on a few days ago and it seems that I have lost my Skype program. I'll send the number when I get some help getting it put back on. (yes I am a computer dummy)

Jason