A teacher-focused approach to prevent and reduce students' aggressive behavior: the GREAT Teacher Program

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• School Psychology

Background:

• Aggression in middle school students is a significant concern.
• Understanding the ecological factors and social cognitive influences on aggression is crucial for effective intervention.
• Teachers play a vital role in shaping school climate and student behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the GREAT (Guiding Responsibility and Expectations for Adolescents for Today and Tomorrow) Teacher Program.
• To deter aggressive behavior in middle school students through teacher training.
• To enhance teachers' capacity to prevent and manage aggression.

Main Methods:

• The program is grounded in an ecological understanding of aggression and Social Cognitive Theory.
• Teachers participated in a 12-hour workshop and 10 support group sessions.
• Training, manuals, and supervision were provided to ensure program integrity and quality.

Main Results:

• The program aimed to increase teacher awareness of aggression, risk factors, and the school's influence on behavior.
• It focused on developing aggression prevention strategies and improving teacher management skills.
• Enhancing teachers' skills to support victims of aggression was also a key objective.

Conclusions:

• The GREAT Teacher Program provides a structured approach for teachers to address student aggression.
• It equips educators with practical strategies and skills to foster a safer and more supportive school environment.
• This program has the potential to significantly impact student behavior and well-being.