Shannon, What a great concept and awesome site!!! Thanks for sharing the information with me. Keep up the great work. I look forward to contributing to your work. Chuck

Hi Mr. Huene! Thank you for visiting my site! I think we are more in agreement than you realize. The first three steps in my "fight break-up plan" do not involve touching the students at all. My first two steps are to get help, and the third step is to verbally tell the students to stop fighting. It is only after the failure of these three steps that I intervene physically. I neutralize the aggressor because he is the one that doesn't want the fight to end...he is winning! The loser of the fight doesn't need to be neutralized, he will run away or stop 95% of the time. I intervene physically because I would rather be sued for intervening than be sued for standing there watching a student be seriously injured. Thanks again for your input! It is only through input that we as educators can refine our methods and skills.

I got to your site through a facebook teacher page link. I think it's a great idea for new teachers. I have taught for 17 years now. However, I was reading how to break up a fight and disagree with the advice. It is contrary to much of the training out there. First of all, seek help first is a must. Second, you should not go after the aggressor. Seek out the victim. The aggressor is more likely to continue fighting as he or she is winning in front of his or her peers and doesn't have much reason to stop. The victim has all the reason to stop. One, they don't want to get hurt more. Second, they often want to save face in front of their peers. To them it's not quitting if a teacher pulls you out. Another crucial fact here is crowd control. You must clear the crowd. This prevents others from joining in and more getting hurt. Never, NEVER, get in between the two fighting. ONLY those trained in physical control and restraint techniques may physically intervene. If the fight is out of control schools can call 911. If you physically intervene, you can be legally liable.

Saw your website. Thought it would fit in nice with mine. I've added a link. Thank you for helping the new teachers. Sam SuccessInTheClassrom.com

thanks to know you more...