Theresa Stahl - PAX GBG Teacher and Title I

About the Guest(s): Theresa Stahl is an experienced educator with a career spanning nearly 40 years. Currently, she teaches third and fourth grade reading intervention at Ansonia Local Schools in Ohio. Known for her commitment to creating supportive and inclusive classroom environments, Theresa has actively implemented the PAX Good Behavior Game strategies to foster respectful and focused behavior among her students. She is recognized for adapting educational methods to meet the needs of a diverse student body in a partially rural community setting. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "School Wellness," host Amanda Hampton sits down with veteran educator Theresa Stahl to delve into the effective use of the PAX Good Behavior Game in her classroom. With nearly four decades of teaching experience, Theresa shares compelling insights into how evidence-based strategies can create a trauma-informed and supportive learning environment. The episode offers a deep dive into adapting behavior intervention techniques for young students, focusing on promoting positive behaviors such as respect and attentiveness. Through a detailed discussion, Theresa outlines her journey with PAX, a system she embraced approximately six years ago. Her implementation begins with constructing a "vision chart" to set clear behavioral expectations in a positive light, steering away from traditional "do's and don't's" lists. Theresa provides real-life examples of how this method encourages students' cooperation and attentiveness, ultimately leading to a more productive classroom environment. She shares her innovative approach to Granny's Wacky Prizes, which motivate students while being cost-effective and easy to implement. Theresa's candid experiences provide valuable insights for educators keen to embrace modern behavior management methodologies. Key Takeaways: The PAX Good Behavior Game creates a trauma-informed, supportive classroom environment by focusing on managing undesirable behaviors and reinforcing positives. Implementing a vision chart focused on proactive student engagement. Granny's Wacky Prizes motivate students with creative, low-cost activities that align with classroom goals of respect and attentiveness. School-wide adoption of PAX strategies amplifies their effectiveness, aligning all students and staff toward common behavioral expectations. Starting with a few core PAX strategies can help new teachers integrate these methods cohesively into their classrooms. Notable Quotes: "PAX is...a way to achieve a happy and peaceful classroom." - Theresa Stahl "They [students] are invested in the behavior and in the plan and in trying to do what they're supposed to." - Theresa Stahl "It has to really be pervasive in your day. And if possible, school-wide is most effective." - Theresa Stahl "I really like to use activities that make them think a little bit too, so like I have one called 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." - Theresa Stahl Resources: PAXIS Institute – Home of the PAX Good Behavior Game, providing evidence-based behavioral strategies for educators. The podcast introduction is provided by Carmen Irving from PAXIS. Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio Mental Health Network for School Success Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence – Supporting prevention and early intervention in Ohio schools. Listen to this insightful episode to hear directly from Theresa Stahl about her practical experiences and strategies for effective classroom management using the PAX Good Behavior Game. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from the "School Wellness" podcast.