Jim Roberson

We are proud to introduce you to the UK's only 'Discipline Coach' and a whole new way of looking at discipline, behaviour and the very purpose of school.

For the past ten years Jim has been working with some of the most challenging young people in the UK and developing a unique classroom-based strategy he calls the 'Disciplined Approach'.

Whether he's working with experienced classroom practitioners, struggling supply teachers, students themselves or even the police, Jim shares powerful, practical, common sense strategies that bring the best out of some of the most demanding and hard-to-reach young people.

At the heart of his work is the development of realistic self discipline in young people ('It's what you do for yourself, not to yourself'), moving schools away from the short-term nature of bribes and threats that constitutes so much of the 'behaviour management' work in classrooms today.

Indeed, the whole focus on 'behaviour' - something Jim calls the 'B word' - gets in the way of helping us work with some of the most needy children. As Jim says in his own inimitable way, 'Don't make them mad, make them think!'.

This is an e-mail Jim recently received from one student and sums up the sort of effect he can have on young people – small but important victories:
Hey Jim,
 
'I’m the blonde dude that asked for your signature. How
are you doing? Your lessons were extremely interesting and I actually listened to your work and learned from you. It was a pleasure having you come to our school.’

Click on the following button to see highlights of Jim Roberson live in action*:

 

A Black American born and raised in the Bronx, Jim has especially worked with children from some of the most challenging areas on the South coast. He has successfully introduced US-style ‘work appreciation programmes’ in a number of authorities and also leads a life-changing trip for local children to New York each spring. On top of all that he is also the UK's leading American Football coach.

This is what one year leader wrote to tell us after a recent visit from Jim:

I just wanted to say a big thank you for organising Jim’s visit. I cannot frankly explain to you quite how powerful the work he did with students was.

I spent much of each session watching the students and how they responded and it is an amazing experience to see student’s expressions change as their perspectives about who they are and what they are capable of changes (and he only spent two hours with them!).

Teachers who spent any time with Jim throughout the day are already pressing me to get him back in, and the Head of Year 11 wants him back in after Easter to work with more students!

Anyone who has ever met Jim before will tell you just what an unforgettable experience it is. You can’t listen to him without having your views on a whole range of areas being changed irrevocably, from understanding how to get more out of the most challenging students, the rights of children from the least privileged backgrounds to the role of the teacher and our understanding of race, culture and history.

So, why not book Jim for an Event with your staff, students, parents or governors (Jim delivers Events for primary, secondary and further education).

People who benefited from Jim have also enjoyed David Keeling.

Books written by Jim Roberson:

• Big Book of Independent Thinking (contributor)

Podcasts from Jim Roberson:

• Listen to the Discipline Coach in action...

For new insights and ideas into how to get more out of all your students – and especially when dealing with behaviour, boys or with race issues – then you need to make contact with Jim. Please call the Independent Thinking office on 0844 589 0490 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk

Jim's CRB number is 001193455147 issued 10th April 2008.

(*If you experience difficulties downloading this clip then please e-mail us at admin@independentthinking.co.uk or call us on 0844 589 0490 and we'll try and help)

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