Shaping Special Hearts: Managing Behavior by Building Community

Host Katie Wetherbee and guest Sheri Halagan dive into the topic of managing behavior by building community. When we think of managing kids' behavior, often times we picture a sticker chart showing how kids followed directions, or a treasure box where children can go to get a treat for good behavior. As effective as these tools can be, though, you want volunteers and pastors to think more broadly about managing behavior.

Sheri Halagan has been an elementary teacher for 30 years and is currently teaching third grade at Gurney Elementary in Chagrin Falls.  She is currently working in her district as a Responsive Classroom trainer and works as a Consulting Teacher for the Center for Responsive Schools, training teachers in the summer.  Responsive Classroom is a set of social/academic strategies that center on creating positive and engaging learning communities within the classroom.  A focus on child development, proactive management, engaging learning activities and building positive classroom community through a number of classroom strategies help all children work to their potential. Sheri lives in Chagrin Falls with her husband Michael, where they enjoy outdoor activities, including lots of walking and gardening.  

Katie is an educational consultant for Hope Educational Consulting who works with churches, families, and schools. She is also a writer; her articles have been featured on the MOPS and Power of Moms blogs as well as the Huffington Post and in KidzMatter Magazine. Katie is currently the special needs columnist for Children’s Ministry Magazine. In addition, she and author Jolene Philo are currently writing a book called Every Child Welcome, which will be published in April 2015. Katie and her husband, Tom, live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with their teenagers and a quirky mutt named Mitzie.