A
MENU
FOR
TEACHER WORKSHOPS
WILLIAM
P.
RYAN
Molloy
College
To contemplate the number of children that could benefit from some interven-
tion
or involvement by the school psychologist can be an overwhelming experience
(Kennedy,
1971).
There are several ways in which psychologists have attempted
to meet this need. One is to adapt the clinical model to the school situation by
testing each problem child and making recommendations to teachers and parents.
However, to use the clinical model of approaching these children as a seemingly
endless stream of “problem cases” seems questionable (Bardon,
1968;
Chovan,
1968).
Teachers have complained that the written report which results from this
process is often unhelpful (Barclay,
1971).
Moreover, it diminishes the amount of
interaction between the psychologist and the teacher. As several authors (Baker,
1965;
Caplan,
1964;
Williams,
1967)
have stated, the effectiveness of recommenda-
tions by the psychologist is contingent upon the quality of the psychologist-teacher
interaction. One essential criterion
is
that they consider one another equals working
toward common goals rather than a superior-inferior relationship.
Another way is for the psychologist to allocate more time to teacher-psycholo-
gist conferences (Handler
&
Handler,
1965;
Losen,
1964).
Although this is an
improvement, often this lengthy process results in suggestions that are untenable
from the vantage point
of
the teacher. Handler and Handler have raised an impor-
tant question regarding suggestions, i.e., what in the training of the psychologist
prepares him/her to make appropriate recommendations about children in the
classroom? In most graduate programs the psychologist is trained to do other things.
Even in this somewhat improved situation the question of reaching significant
numbers
is
left
unanswered. Indeed this seems to increase the amount of time spent
with one case.
Other ways of tackling the number of children that need assistance is through
the psychologist focusing on prescriptive teaching (Fine
&
Tyler,
1971)
or training
teachers in classroom techniques of behavior modification (Vane,
1972).
Though
both of these styles of operating as
a
school psychologist can
be
quite effective
they seem to depart from human relations skills (Fine
&
Tyler,
1971).
Are not
human relations skills a psychologist’s particular strong point?
Indeed, certain skills for which the psychologist is well trained seem to be either
overlooked or underutilized in the school setting. There are other forgotten skills,
e.g., research, but this author
is
particularly interested in the skill
of
facilitating
group interaction by using the psychologist’s knowledge of group dynamics.
Can-
not the psychologist’s knowledge
of
group interaction be used quite effectively
in working with teachers? This is not to suggest that school psychologists conduct
group therapy or even sensitivity training with teachers.
To
make teachers patients
seems inappropriate. To this author it has always been questionable whether
teachers’ involvement in group therapy, group sensitivity sessions etc. assists them
in becoming more effective in their interaction with children in the classroom.
In
this report the author is interested in discussing the option of employing knowledge
of group dynamics in conducting a series of sessions with teachers focused around
the interaction of the teacher and child in the classroom. These may
be
called work-