Creating Systems Of Change For Discipline Referrals In School - Josh Nelson

The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today our guest is Josh Nelson a School Counselor at Richard Lewis Brown Gifted and Talented Academy. We talk with Josh about creating systems for changing how discipline referrals are handled in schools. Josh suggests that we view behavior as unmet needs rather than just bad behavior, and emphasizes the importance of shifting our thinking about discipline from punishment to correction. Josh also shares how they analyzed behavior referral data and realized that teachers needed more information on behavior and trauma, and students needed more tools and systems to address their needs. By implementing these system changes, they were able to reduce behavior referrals by 74% since 2016, and improve attendance, academic performance, and school culture survey results.

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Josh's Bio: Joshua Nelson, M.Ed., School Counselor at Richard Lewis Brown Gifted and Talented Academy in Jacksonville, Florida. I am a proud graduate of the University of North Florida receiving my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education (2009) and my Master's Degree in Counselor Education (2016). I have worked in Education for 15 years spending 2010 - 2015 as an Elementary Teacher and from 2015 to present as an Elementary School Counselor. Josh has received the following awards, As a teacher: 2012, Teacher of the Year and a Semi-Finalist for Duval County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. As a School Counselor: 2017, Teacher of the Year for R.L. Brown. 2020, Led R.L. Brown to become a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). 2021, Lucille Crysell School Counselor of the Year for Duval County Public Schools 2022, Florida School Counselor of the Year 2023, ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Finalist