From Chaos to Calm:
Maintaining Violence-Free Classrooms

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Dr. Lou Gonzales is the director of the Center for Safe School and Communities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has years of experience in working with streetwise kids and his strategies are important for teachers in inner-city environments.

Questions for Thought:

1. How does your school try to prevent violence?

2. What have you planned to do if violence erupts in your classroom?


I. Responding to Violence

1. Prevention
2. Response

II. Prevention

1. Maintain high standards of school safety
   1. Fair and consistently enforced policies
   2. Make safe classroom environments a part of the language of your bargaining agreement
   3. Form strong school-home linkages
2. Provide strong staff development
   1. crisis response
   2. cultural diversity issues
   3. Mediation I conflict resolution training

III. Responding when Violence has Occurred

1. Avoiding physical contact when possible
   1. Send for help
   2. Keep a distance
   3. Remain calm
2. Key Principles
   1. Try to resolve confrontation through talk
   2. Listen
   3. Do not negotiate, nor "power trip"

Do's and Don'ts in Conflict Situations

Do:	Don't:
Keep a distance	Confront
Try to get subject to say he/she won't hurt you	Antagonize
Get help (send someone)	Negotiate
Listen	Ask "why"
Use open ended questions (who, what, where, where)	Invade space
Be passive, cooperative	Touch
Allow student to vent	Tell the person to relax or calm down
Allow student to "save face"	Sympathize
Respect student's "space"	Force the issue
Isolate incident (keep it from spreading)	Make quick moves
	Power trip
	Lie

Remember: Time is your ally.

Behavioral Indicators of Violent Behaviors

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