Why did we become school leaders and teachers? To educate, uplift, and inspire all students. So when things go wrong, why do schools seem to use exclusion as a first reaction, especially for kids that need to be in class the most? What can schools do instead to improve student behavior and help everyone involved feel supported along the way?

As a principal, Dr. Andy Jacks was driven to find the answers to these questions. He’d learned firsthand how quick fixes, shame, and blame end up being very harmful to students and ruining relationships within the school team and with parents. He also discovered that teachers need more than just platitudes and positive attitudes when difficult situations arise.

Teachers want to help their students, and they deserve solutions. This led him on a journey of discovery: doing a doctoral dissertation on discipline, forming committees and focus groups, and reading every piece of research he could get his hands on.

The result is Discipline Win, an insightful and timely book based firmly in twenty-first-century educational realities. Winning in discipline is more than just dealing with misconduct and Discipline Win is full of ideas and practical suggestions that will actually make a difference to achieve the behavior balance we all want in schools.

• Moving away from zero-tolerance and towards compassion
• Proactively teaching students how to work with others
• Learning how to help kids regulate their internal struggles
• Aligning daily actions with their goals in life
• Creating a school culture of inclusion
• Knowing your students and celebrating what makes each one special
• Designing supports based on the needs they have in and out of school

Educators deserve to feel empowered and know that they can and will make a positive impact in even the most challenging situations.