Dear PBIS Rewards –
We’ve just run our first month’s PBIS Rewards points report. Not as many teachers are using the system as expected. What can I do to boost excitement for our PBIS initiative ?
Signed, – Reluctant Buy-In From My Staff
Dear Reluctant Buy-In From My Staff –
You know and we know that PBIS can be a game-changer for your school climate. Let’s see if we can get your teachers on board.
Here are some of the reasons you might be having trouble getting everyone on board with PBIS:
- Expectation that PBIS is a temporary fix
- Lack of administrator buy-in
- Administration overwhelmed by tiers of implementation
- Teachers misunderstanding implementation
- Lack of understanding about alternative discipline
Let’s take a look at why each of these might be causing your lack of buy-in.
Reasons for No Teacher Buy-In
Expectation that PBIS is a temporary fix
You may have some veteran teachers who have seen behavioral systems come and go. They might view PBIS as just one more idea that will pass. But you know that PBIS is a whole new way of thinking about school discipline and behavior. Implementation is important for those skeptics in your midst. The biggest issue is consistency. For a PBIS initiative to be truly schoolwide and successful, teachers and staff must all use the system with fidelity.
Lack of administrator buy-in
Buy-in works from the top down. If Administration isn’t 100% invested in making a PBIS initiative work, it trickles down to the teachers and staff. After all, if Administration isn’t going to enforce it, why should the staff make the effort?
Administration overwhelmed by tiers of implementation
On the surface, a PBIS initiative can seem simple. But the tiers of implementation are designed to refocus attention on positive behaviors. Escalation into discipline takes a longer route. If your administration doesn’t understand these tiers of implementation, it can seem overwhelming. If it seems too difficult, it won’t be pushed, and things will revert to the traditional system of punitive response to infractions. Truthfully, the old way is easier because it’s more familiar. But if you’re invested in improving school climate, the old way has to go away.
Teachers misunderstanding implementation
Teachers who see discipline as the only response to poor behavior usually blame PBIS for being too lax. But PBIS changes the focus of discipline by rewarding positive behavior. Redirection, refocusing, and recognition are all designed to direct students toward positive behavior, and it’s important that implementation takes place in the same fashion schoolwide.
Lack of understanding about alternative discipline
Shaking off the mindset of traditional punitive methods can be difficult if teachers don’t feel they’re being properly supported with discipline. Discipline definitely has its place in the PBIS system, but there are alternatives to traditional methods. Assuring your staff that discipline is part of your PBIS initiative can help to soften resistance.
Consistency with PBIS is Key
For a PBIS initiative to be successful, it needs to be consistent. This includes consistency in implementation, consistency in use by teachers, schoolwide PBIS recognition, and consistency in the administration of the initiative. Fortunately, PBIS Rewards has materials available to help you implement your initiative.
One of the ways to help get teachers on board with PBIS is to establish daily point goals. Setting a daily goal for staff will give your teachers an idea of how many points you expect to see them award each day. This goal will help bring PBIS to the top of mind for your staff. The more aware they are of their daily point totals and their goal, the more likely they will be to award points. As they become more accustomed to recognizing students and awarding points, your PBIS initiative will become more effective.
For those teachers concerned about the path to discipline in a PBIS system, PBIS Rewards offers the Behavior Referral System (BRS). As an additional enhancement to our PBIS management system, BRS eliminates the mountains of paperwork sometimes associated with discipline escalations. The data produced through BRS provides the feedback your staff might need to see how PBIS makes a difference by reducing their office referrals.
Another method for encouraging your staff to use recognition for your teachers, just like they do for their students. PBIS Rewards offers a teacher recognition add-on to our software called Teacher Rewards, which operates on the same acknowledgment principles as the student program. And to help you set up your Teacher Store, we’ve compiled a big list of PBIS teacher incentives that your teachers are sure to love. After all, if your staff is performing well, why not give them some recognition and encouragement? We all enjoy a pat on the back.
Teacher Buy-In Makes the Difference
At the heart of a PBIS system is a belief that the system will help all students behave and learn. Teacher buy-in is critical for PBIS to work. PBIS Rewards was developed to make implementation and administration of a PBIS initiative easier for all involved. Address the issues above, consider adding Teacher Rewards and Behavior Referral System, and your teacher buy-in is sure to improve!
Sincerely –
Your PBIS Rewards Support Staff
