Joleen Boelter

Joleen Boelter

Self-Contained Intermediate Teacher, Ober Elementary

[email protected]
 

Lessons Learned

• I’ve learned that what people often perceive as challenging behaviors are, more often than not, communication attempts to address unmet emotional, sensory, or safety needs.  
• Often, students who have experienced maltreatment benefit most from structured routines with clear expectations and leveled responses from adults.
• It takes a village to support trauma-informed responses.  Collaboration within and outside the school best serves students in need.

Resources Developed

• Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
• Individualized Safety and De-escalation Plans
• Visual Support Systems (First/Then boards, choice boards, calming strategies)

Suggested Resources

• Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules  (https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/afirm-modules/)
• Inform. Influence. Inspire. Impact.  Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness (CLR) Is For Everyone (https://culturallyresponsive.org/)
• Students Matter (https://www.ourstudentsmatter.org/home-coherence)

Collaborative Areas of Interest

• Trauma-informed classroom practices 
• Positive Behavior Support systems
• Staff training and professional development