The effect of the Capturing Kids' Hearts staff development program in fostering positive teacher-student relationships at Jane Long Middle School in Bryan ISD

• Main Author: Yeager, Walter Lee, Jr.
• Other Authors: Erlandson, David A.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: Texas A&M University 2004
• Subjects: relationships; engagement; discipline
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/403

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Capturing Kids' Hearts staff development program on teacher-student relationships, student engagement, attentiveness, achievement, collaboration, and discipline. The study also sought to measure teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of the training and how teachers implemented methods and strategies from the Capturing Kids' Hearts program. An extensive review of the literature in regard to teacher-student relationships, student engagement, and student discipline indicated that the emotional connection established between the classroom teacher and the student is the basis of much of a students' success in school. The creation of a positive teacher-student relationship is important in helping students to feel that their academic success and self-importance is valued and deemed worthy by the school organization. The study involved teachers and students answering a pre-survey and post-survey questionnaire about classroom activities and teacher traits. Teachers and students took the pre-survey before teachers attended the Capturing Kids' Hearts training. At the end of the year all participants answered the post-survey questions. The Capturing Kids' Hearts staff development program is a 3-day retreat where-in teachers learn the techniques and rationale for creating social contracts for organizing their classrooms. Questioning techniques are taught that enable teachers to redirect students with off-task behaviors. Participants are taught different methods of building rapport and trust with students. Research findings of this study included: 1. Teacher perceptions of the Capturing Kids' Hearts program were more positive than students. 2. Eighth grade students had more positive perceptions of teachers and classrooms than did seventh and sixth grade students. 3. Teachers valued the training and recognized the worth of its implementation in their classrooms.