14. What is the Explorers standard for classroom behavior?
At Explorers, we have the wonderful advantage of having parents present on site and available to us as instructors when discipline issues arise. Parents are always responsible for the behavior of their child(ren), and should be the primary "disciplinarians." Because that is our situation, we encourage our instructors to always seek out a parent when having difficulty in managing a child's behavior. After a warning, you may either take the child from the class to the parent, or just have a chat with a parent after the class. If you send the child out and do not have time to talk, you'll need to have that chat later!
We ask that everyone be open and loving towards one another in this process! It can be sensitive at times to be confronted with or to confront a behavior problem.
In Explorers, we allow instructors to set up the specific guidelines for behavior in their own classrooms. Different ages, different subject matter, different learning and teaching styles give the program its wonderful scope and effectiveness! However, there are certain standards that we hold to as a Christian group, and we would ask co-instructors to discuss the ideas stated below with each other as they plan their own classes. Of course, all of your personal classroom rules must not violate Explorers abuse prevention policy. Use them as a springboard for decision-making about the particular rules you will expect your students to follow. Be sure to have clear agreement about how you will respond when the rules are challenged. Once you have worked through this process, it is essential to share your particular expectations with the parents and students involved!
The foundation for our standard is simply this: Children and young adults in Explorers will demonstrate respect - respect for Our Lord, themselves, their parents, their instructors, other adults, other students, and property.
When instructing, if you are unable to resolve a behavioral issue with the responsible parent, please agree together to go to the appropriate Team Leader for help.