FLORIDA ADLERIAN SOCIETY nEWSLETTER

APRIL / MAY/ JUNE   2005

A Call For Help

 

by Matt Welch

 

            I’m typing this article standing up.  I don’t sit much anyway.  But I’m standing now because my adrenaline is really pumping.  I just heard an interview with our esteemed Governor concerning our schools.  I’m pretty fired up because he just doesn’t get it.  He was speaking about the FCAT and discussing the amazing improvements in our children's reading levels.  He went on to say that children that did not meet these levels would be held back for their benefit.  In addition, schools that did not improve would be penalized through fines and leadership changes or both.  While schools that did improve would receive bonuses.  I suppose this is supposed to motivate us. The problem that I see is that despite all of these attempts to control our education, our children aren’t doing enough quality learning.

 

            I’m now kneeling in my wheely chair.  I feel like screaming, but my kids are asleep and waking them is an even scarier thought than the state of our school system.  I guess I’m so intense because I have such a passionate belief that the approach of Adlerian Psychology can provide the answers to our educational systems’ challenges.  I’ve experienced first hand how powerful creating relationships, a sense of belonging, cooperation, and utilizing a democratic approach can be with our children.  Unfortunately our government works from a completely different paradigm.  Their solutions are quick fixes and window dressings that don’t solve the core of the problems. Our government believes that if it threatens our schools with fines or firings and retains more students for not passing the FCAT that some how education will be improved.  If that isn’t confusing enough, their commitment is to not spend more money.  They just don’t get it!  But instead of just complaining about them not getting it, I think it would be wise if we channeled our energies into helping them get it. 

 

            I believe the first step in this quest is isolating the problem.  The government would have us believe that the problem with education is that our children are not achieving in reading, writing, or math to the levels that should be expected; especially compared to other states.  This doesn’t make people happy and certainly doesn’t generate many votes.  However, as Adler, Dreikurs, Glasser, and Rogers have all communicated, these are symptoms of a much greater problem.  They are only details.  It’s the process that must change.  Instead of allowing merely numbers to set the direction, our governmental leaders need to look at the importance of healthy relationships in our schools.  If you think back to your favorite teachers, they usually made learning fun.  In other words, they created a strong relationship with you.  I would bet that those were also classes in which you learned

 

 

                                         A Publication of the Florida Adlerian Society 2005

Editors Corner 

By Lisa Pergament Runyon

 

            The 10th Annual FAS Conference was a resounding success.  We had over 500 parti-cipants between the conference and the evening program with Dr. Glasser.  Book sales were phenomenal and overall we had Rave reviews for our workshops, the presenters, and the sense of belonging that people felt!  Dr.  Glasser was a very popular and interesting speaker and he offered many great ideas that were totally in line with our Adlerian beliefs.  We also had a solid response to our regular presenters and we truly appreciate them.   This success has provided impetus to our organization to pursue the FAS Institute that will provide training for all interested people in Individual Psychology. 

 

 Our current newsletter features an article by Matt Welch.  He is a very creative, talented and energetic.  Matt is a Guidance Counselor at Chasco Elementary and has presented for us and around the country and is instrumental in spreading the “Adlerian Word” thorough out Pasco County.

 

Congratulations to:

Lynn Allen for graduating with her Masters in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from U.S.F.

Emily Gainforth for graduating from Montessori Kindergarten and to her proud parents:  Randy and Diane.

Scott and Traci Gainforth on the birth of their daughter, Sydney Taylor Gainforth.

Tommy Evans for being a finalist in a Middle School Film Production competition.  He is being recognized at a ceremony in Tallahassee.

 

To all of the wonderful mothers out there…. Happy Mothers Day!

 

Florida Adlerian Society

Board of Directors (2005-2006)

 

President:  Randall Gainforth

Vice-President:  Nicola Haddak

Secretary:  Gloria Harvey

Conference Coordinator:  Charla Conroy

Treasurer: Lisa Pergament Runyon

Executive Director: Tim Evans

Director:  Tony Miller

Director:  Ross Cannon

Director:  Lolita Grohmann

Director:  Becky Razaire

Director:  Matt Welch

Director:  Geri Carter

Director:  Stacy Henderson

Director:  Lynn Allen

Director:  Amanda Keating

Director:  Dominique DeLaet

 

            Articles for inclusion in the newsletter are encouraged and requested.  The deadline for quarterly publication is the 1st of March, June, September and December for publication the following month. 

 

Advertising rates for 4 issues, based on page size of  8 1/2 x 11 inches, with 1/2 inch margins on all four sides.  All ads must be copy-ready, black and white.

 

Full page - $100           Three-Quarter page - $75

One-Half page - $50      One-Quarter page - $25

One-Third page - $38          Business Card - $15

           

 

            Membership in the Florida Adlerian Society is open to all people interested in the  Adlerian concepts.  Membership is based on a year that runs from February to January, for an annual fee of $20 per person.       


A Call for Help (continued from page 1)

 

the most.   These relationships are what gives meaning to life.  Unfortunately, they are often times inefficient and hard to measure.  This doesn’t fit our system’s plan for improving education.  Ironically, I would wager that a strong teacher/ student relationship would raise test scores.

 

As you might expect, my take on the problem with our school system is a little different than that of the government. I’ve worked as a guidance counselor in Pasco County for the past eight years.  In that time I’ve worked with some amazingly talented and dedicated educators, individuals that you would be very proud to have working with your children.  I’ve also connected with some of the most wonderful, creative, and down right fun children that you could ever imagine.  I am surrounded by people that will make some satisfying contributions in life, if given the freedom.  Unfortunately, many of our teachers and children are discouraged.  I see children that are forced to take tests that they have no hope in passing.  They are very aware that they will be retained which discourages them even more.  Of the one thousand students that attend my school over seven hundred are on the free and reduced lunch program; which means that they’re quite poor.  Along with poverty comes other very serious issues like: drugs, incarcerated parents, poor living conditions, and many parents that didn’t graduate from high school.  For these children, Glasser would say, “school is no longer part of their quality world”.  As a result our community loses many potential contributors to the useless side of life.  These folks become more likely to turn to drugs, violence, and other crimes.  We are in effect “forcing out” individuals that don’t measure up from our schools; but they still live in our communities.  Without intervention this could prove to be our society’s undoing.  But on the up side, there will be lots of work for counselors.

 

            In order to raise our children's academic levels, our government’s solution is to retain kids that don’t meet predetermined criteria, while rewarding and punishing schools as incentives to more effective teaching.  The intended result is that students will achieve at a higher level and, therefore, will be learning more.  In other words, the government is attempting to drive our learning through external control.  But, they can’t even get that right.  This past year my school was both rewarded and punished.  We improved our overall reading scores, but our special education students’ scores fell.  So we received bonuses for the improvement and the state took money away for the lower scores.  Am I crazy?  Or, does this not make any sense?

 

            One of the biggest problems with this approach, however, is that our kids are not doing quality work or experiencing meaningful learning.  Some of their levels are improving, but very few kids are enjoying what they are doing.  We are creating expert test takers, not independent learners.  Sadly, this is what’s happening with the kids that are doing well.  As mentioned earlier, we are losing many of the rest.  We retained forty-five third graders in my school alone last year.  For some of those students it was their second retention.  At this rate we will have middle schoolers driving and students graduating high school in their twenties!  Actually, that may not happen.  Most students who are retained twice are very unlikely to graduate at all.  It’s not clear if our government is concerned with what happens to them.

 

            I’m standing again.  The wheely chair is killing my knees!

 

            While I’m up I would like to express the real reason behind my writing this article.  I’m asking for your help.  I know that many of you already make very significant contributions to our schools.  It’s truly appreciated.  But as a group, I think Adlerians can do more.  Please understand, I do not mean this critically.  It’s simply that when I’m in my school environment I feel like I’m on an Adlerian island with hungry behaviorists swimming all about.  It can be absolutely frightening.  There are gold stars, token economies, and treasure boxes attacking me on a daily basis.  I try and fend them off with class room meetings, encouragement, and a sense of belonging; but it’s a grueling battle.  I’m not asking you to sign on and work for the school system (although we will be hiring another counselor at my school this upcoming school year, call me).  However, I do have a few other thoughts on how you may be able to contribute to one of our most vital institutions... 

 

            The most important contribution that any of us can make is educating others in  Adlerian Psychology and how it can benefit our schools.  I believe the most effective way in which to do this is through workshops.  You can share your message with a large number of folks in a short time.  I’m also a little biased on making them fun and silly.  People seem to remember more.  If you are not a workshop person, then participating in conferences or attending meetings (we have lots of them) can make a significant contribution.

 

            If you do not currently work in a school and would like to make the greatest possible impact, then I believe in a top - down approach.  But please understand, I’m not trying to be hypocritical in saying this, just efficient.  I believe that the President of the United States has no greater worth than any of the kids in my school.  But he can initiate more change, faster.  Therefore, in our system the most effective people to work with; not important, effective, are superintendents and politicians.  I don’t actually know any of these people; but I still think they’re the place to start. They have influence over more people, in more ways than other school roles due to their functions.  Consequently, they can make more pervasive changes than other school personnel.  This would allow us to help more kids.  Next, we target the principals.  They can spearhead a more democratic approach over an entire school.  Effective principals also have a tremendous influence over their staff.  I would then focus on counselors and teachers in that order.  This is because counselors can work with all of the students and the teacher with a class.  The final group is the children, but this one is a bit tricky.  If you have the talent and desire to connect with children, then forget everything that I just said and work with them.  It takes a very special person to help a child on a consistent basis; especially the most discouraged kids.  These individuals are in very short supply.  So, if you feel drawn to that type of work, forget the superintendents (kids are more fun anyway).   With that all said, any contribution that you are comfortable to make towards our schools is greatly appreciated.  Remember, I’m surrounded; but believe it or not still standing!

 

            Parent workshops are a significant contribution towards helping schools because they help to change the culture of our social behavior.  The more people that understand and practice Individual Psychology helps to slowly alter the direction of our institutions.  If the parents and the schools are on the same page, then the child has a much greater chance to make consistent improvements in all areas.  Conducting parent workshops is also a good way to generate private practice business. 

 

            Another kind of contribution that might be more up your ally is public relations.  Trust me, this one has the potential to be very exciting.  The media eats up anything that involves the schools, especially if it’s somehow related to testing.  Also, the message that Adlerian Psychology offers is outside of the cramped box in which our system operates.  The media loves that sort of thing.  But more importantly, we have a tremendous product to sell.  We just need to get the word out.  I have seen the power of public relations through Tim Evans and Randy Gainforth.  Tim has been popping up every now and again on Channel 8.  It’s pretty exciting to see someone you know on television that’s not getting arrested!  It’s also the most powerful way to spread the word.  Randy has made some very significant connections with WMNF 88.5 FM here in Tampa.  It’s a community supported radio station who’s philosophy fits very nicely with Adlerian Psychology.  They’ve had Tim, Randy, Ross Cannon, and William Glasser on their station promoting our organization and our beliefs.  I think Ross might do a fishing show for them also, hee hee.

 

            If you are currently working in a school setting, then that’s a whole different ball game.  You have the ability to make some very significant contributions; although it does take patience.  As mentioned earlier it is easier to spread the word if you have support from top - down.  But it is not required, just faster.  Here are a few contributions that have been made at my school over the last five years...

 

- We have trained the entire school in class meetings in order to encourage a democratic atmosphere, problem solving, mutual respect, a sense of belonging, and much more.

 

- Many of our faculty meetings are run in a class meeting format complete with agenda book.  It’s one big circle!

 

- Many of our teams practice student led conferencing; in which the students take more responsibility and have greater choice in their learning.

 

- We offer parent workshops twice a year based upon Adlerian Psychology.

 

- We teach guidance based upon an experiential model which allows students to learn more deeply, with greater freedom, and a lot more fun.

 

- We offer a study group for teachers based upon William Glasser’s Choice Theory in the Classroom.  

 

            I’m sure that there are more things that we practice which promote the ideas of Adlerian Psychology and Choice theory, but you get the idea.  It’s important to note that implementing these strategies did not happen over night. The success of each program varies greatly according to the buy in from the teachers.  Lastly, be encouraged.  Even if you are surrounded by ferocious behaviorists like I am, you can still make a difference.  Focus on your niche and slowly the word will spread.

 

            I’m finally sitting.  It’s late and I’m a bit tuckered out.  It’s not easy typing standing up, especially as slowly as I type.  My youngest son, Ayden (22 months), is lying next to me.  He’s not feeling well.  This is the stillest that I’ve ever seen him while he was awake.  I can’t help but think how lucky I am.  He’s an amazing creation (I have another amazing son named Justin).  And as I look at him, it occurs to me that the answers to our schools’ dilemmas is lying right in front of me.  My relationship to my boys is what it’s all about. They have all of the abilities and talents needed to make some wonderful contributions in life.  My job is to allow them to realize it.  Our job is to allow them all to realize it.  I’m going to lie down with Ayden.  Thanks for listening.

 

            ** If you have questions or comments please contact Matt Welch at:

 

 

                                                mwelch@pasco.k12.fl.us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adlerian Events In our Community

 

Randall Gainforth is starting Supervision Groups on Thursday nights from 7:00

p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  These groups will be for registered interns who want group supervision.  Randy is a qualified supervisor for those going for their LMHC and LMFT licenses.  The cost is $25/hour.  Please register with Randy by calling 220-0262 or email:  rgainforth@aol.com.   This is a great opportunity to get quality supervision and is offered through the Florida Adlerian Society Institute.

 

 

NASAP started an opportunity called TAPTalks.  They take place on Monday nights at 9:00pm, the first Monday of every month and feature a different Adlerian speaker each time.  You can obtain directions for dialing into the TAPTalk by sending an email to taptalk@adler.ca. NOTE:  TYPE IN THE E‑MAIL ADDRESS OR CUT AND PASTE. For some reason, an error results when you attempt to click on it, You will receive a response by return email with the phone number and discussion code.  If you wish to obtain an hour of continuing education credit, send a check for $5 to NASAP Headquarters (614 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA, 17033) within a week following the TAP Talk. 

 

 

Lolita Grohmann will be leading Family Enrichment Workshops that will focus on the Principles of child guidance, relationships, and encouragement.  They will be held on the last Saturday of every month at 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. The location will be The Counseling Center of Tampa Bay, 3910 Northdale Blvd.  Suite 208‑ Tampa, Fl 33624.  For more information, you can call 813‑961‑4406 or e-mail grohmann@aol.com  

 

 

Tim Evans is leading a Choice Theory Focus Group for Mental Fitness on Wednesday evenings.  The next group will be on July 13th and the group is held every other week.   This is to be a safe, supportive refuge, where people who would like to be happier can meet and support each other. The only requirement is you become acquainted with the book Warning: Psychiatry Can Be Dangerous To Your Mental Health, written by William Glasser. This will be a study group where you can attend as long or as often as you wish.                    

 

Anyone interested can contact Tim Evans via phone at 813-251-8484 or e-mail:   TimEnc@aol.com

CALENDAR OF SOCIAL EVENTS

 

June 16 - 19                 North American Society of Adlerian Psychology, 53rd

2005                              Annual Conference, Tucson, Arizona

For more information go to: www.alfredadler.org  annual conference 

 

July 17 – 30th               International Adlerian Summer School (ICASSI)

2005                                     Marsascala, Malta.  For more information, contact:  Mike Balla at mjballa@sympatico.ca  Or go to www.ICASSI.net

 

Sept. 30 – Oct. 2                   South Carolina Conference of Adlerian Psychology

2005                              Springmaid Beach