Fix School Discipline Toolkit for Educators | Page 58

all work collaboratively with each other and with
cohorts of schools to help implement best practices
that meet the needs of all students. Most members
of the BAT Team have had an overview training of
the PAX Good Behavior Game, as well as many other
programs and techniques, and we can assist schools
to implement these practices.
Each August, we bring in two trainers from the
PAXIS Institute to train the staff members of the
schools I’m supporting. I meet with teachers and
provide professional development during grade level
planning meetings at some schools, or any other
time I can grab a few minutes of their time. I’ve held
trainings for teachers and paraprofessionals, and
attended CARE team meetings and SSTs where I
give parents tools that they can use at home. I visit
the sites and model the game in classrooms and
observe teachers and provide feedback.
Our goal is to have a staff member at each school
trained as coaches, who can help build capacity year
after year, make sure the program is continued, and
provide support to staff at the school, and thus wean
off of dependency on me. Of course, I come back if
anyone needs me. I encourage schools to reach out
and tell me what they need.

What does it take to implement the game within a
district like SFUSD?
Tracy: Once the training is done and the game
kits and manuals are purchased, it’s really just an
investment in time and dedication on the part of the
teachers. My experience has also shown me that it’s
important to invest in a coach and to have someone
on-site to support and work with teachers throughout
the year. I think with any strategy, it’s important that
someone is able to come in and model it for teachers.
While I believe the PAX Good Behavior Game
is simple to use, it’s more about trying to coach a
teacher in what not to do. It does take an investment
of ongoing resources, inc luding in time, coaching,
and support, to implement properly.

What advice would you give to others who want
to implement in their schools?
Gabrielle: Definitely be open-minded to the Game
and don’t give up. It is easy to shut it down when you
hear all of the components of it, because it sounds
like too much. But if you are open to it and try it, it

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How we can fix school discipline

becomes so routine, like any other behavior system
you use in your classroom. Try it more than once and
try it consistently. As long as you keep doing it, it will
fit into your schedule.

Is there anything else that you think that people
should know about the Good Behavior Game?
Tracy: The Game is not really a behavior
management system. It is about creating a positive
classroom environment and teaching students selfcontrol and self-regulation. If we accomplish this,
they are self-sufficient, and do not need someone else
to tell them what to do and how to behave. Then, it’s
something they are doing themselves, not something
we’re doing to them.
Feel free to contact us:
Sheridan Elementary School
431 Capitol Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112
Ph: 415-469-4743