Choice Theory in New Zealand

Be with Dr Glasser in LA

2012-02-07T15:36:00.001-08:00

The Conference in Los Angeles has captured the imagine of people around the world.

Confirmation from Al Katz the Conference Chair means that we can now make arrangements for flights. A sizeable group from Australia has registered and are now looking for the best deal with flights.

The other piece of good news is that the early bird registration fee of $300 will be extended to April 15.

Still to come are the arrangements for booking accommodation, the call for presentations and giving us information about the Keynote speakers.

I have been in contact with Leigh McGown, principal of the Glasser Quality School in Colorado at Yampah Mountain High School. She is willing to have visitors to the school. Their school closes on 31 May. I will continue negotiations to see if it is a possibility.

In the mean time, register if you have been putting it off. Book your flights to get the best deals and wait for the next lot of information.

Too good to miss

2012-01-27T17:45:00.000-08:00

BE PART OF OUR GREATEST GATHERING EVER!

We are finally able to give you details about the William Glasser Association International Conference scheduled for 6th to 9th June 2012 in Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

This is the First International Conference organised by the new William Glasser Association International
The location is Dr. Glasser’s home town.
As Dr. Glasser is no longer able to travel beyond Los Angeles, this gives us a special way to honour him and his work.
We have made a special effort to keep the registration fee and the accommodation fees at the lowest levels ever.

Join us in celebrating Choice Theory around the world!

To allow us to finalise our deposits with LMU it is vital to the success of this conference that we get as many early bookings as possible.
We are asking you to pay your conference fee now.
The early registration fee is $300 (ending 31st Jan 2012).
The conference fee includes registration, all presentations and keynotes, breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursday to Saturday inclusive and including the Saturday banquet.
If we do not achieve our target deposits by the end of January we will need to reconsider our options.
If, for any reason, the conference is not held your fees will be returned to you.
Important: Do not pay for any flights until you receive a receipt from the conference committee and a clear go ahead from us to book flights.

For all information about this conference
including payment links
visit WGAI

www.wgai.net

Win with Choice: Making the difference

2012-01-02T18:44:00.000-08:00

Win with Choice: Making the difference: A young mum who, with her husband had taken over the family farm, put in a nutshell the difference between schools that adapt the philosophy...

Win with Choice: The Weather Rope

2011-12-21T12:05:00.000-08:00

Win with Choice: The Weather Rope: My older brother and I recently had a discussion about school journals that were a part of our reading program at school in New Zealand all ...

High School Glasser Quality School

2011-11-02T12:10:00.001-07:00

This site is Murray High School the first Glasser Quality School High School

http://murrayamericanstudies.blogspot.com/

Basic Intensive Training in Morrinsville

2011-10-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

The first Basic Intensive Training in Morrinsville was completed on 22 October. Bette Blance as a new instructor worked with people from RTLB, schools and a counselling background to undertake the 27 hours of Choice Theory and its applications training.

Left to right: Lea-Anne Sheather, Celia Pickens, Lorraine Millard, Nicola Brown, Kylie Smith and Cassie Cross

Why do Choice Theory

2011-09-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

In a Basic Intensive Training in Woodenbong, a tiny settlement just across the border from Queensland we talked about an 'elevator speech' to explain to others about what the participants were doing over four Saturdays. This is one such elevator speech.

What have you lot been up to each Saturday?"

"You know how some   of our students are showing behaviours that not everyone   agrees with don't you? This is jeopardising the school environment and students' education.

Well, what we've been doing is professional   learning on Choice Theory about meeting needs through positive choices. This means the staff  and our students can be happier because their needs  are  being met and in turn they are reaching their highest educational outcome." 

Talking about Choice Theory to others - spreading the word

2011-08-31T12:52:00.001-07:00

Do you get asked "What is Choice Theory?" An elevator speech is that 30 seconds you have when people ask that question.

A great elevator speech does four things:

It sets out the problem
It sets out the opportunity
It sets out how the training is going to solve that in a way that's valuable to customers
It inspires the listener

How does this sound?

We have a world that is beset with violence, break down of families, mentally ill people, jails full to overflowing
Learning Choice Theory has an answer to these huge issues. Even if we were able to eliminate just one of these areas, society would be a better place for everyone.
We teach people that we need to recognise that we can only control ourselves. The issues are really all about trying to control others. Violence is trying to control others; break downs in families are the result of one person in the marriage trying to control another. Mentally ill people are largely people who have become disconnected from those who are important to them and people are often incarcerated because they tried to use force to control another person. Choice Theory teaches us ways to get what we want in a way that does not stop others from getting what they want.
Wouldn't it be a wonderful place if we were able to eliminate these major concerns in society. Then the only thing we would need to solve is the poverty of many because of the greed of a few.

Try this for yourself in your area of using Choice Theory and its applications.

Koraunui Classroom

2011-06-06T01:18:00.000-07:00

In this classroom the teacher Norah Jennings is working with a small group of learners in Year 6 discussing the Basic Needs. Other students are working independently.

Bob Sullo returns

2011-04-25T20:54:00.000-07:00

In January and February 2011 Bob Sullo toured New Zealand to speak with various groups about Choice Theory.

Bob meets with Irene Ogden, Principal of Henderson North School after the Auckland workshop.

Bob is keen to return in early 2012 for another tour. If you are interested in having Bob work with your staff please contact Bette Blance through the WGI-NZ website.

Koraunui School

2011-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

On my first visit to Koraunui School in Stokes Valley I was greeted with this picture on the side of a building for all to see.

The children in the school had contributed the painting of these colourful connecting habits.As I walked around the school there was evidence they were being used.

What students say

2011-03-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

When Judith Brown completed a Basic Week in 2004 she worked with her class with the ideas of a quality classoom. The students learned about Dr Glasser and his theory. In a piece of writing they mounted an argument for the Glasser classroom. The following are comments from some of these pieces of writing.

We have a Glasser classroom. This means that we improve in our work. In my learning I have moved up a lot. I am proud of what I have done for the last year.
I think that we should have Glasser in our classroom. Firstly because we'll have freedom of choice. Being able to choose between some things makes learning more enjoyable.
In this class I get along with most of my friends because they don't make fun of people on purpose.
I feel our classroom has most of the five basic needs, which means we have everything
I think our class has a lot of self discipline and caring in our work and we pay attention to all who are speaking and trying to tell is something.
Glasser brings the class together and brings students and teachers to a bonding relationship. This means the students want to learn and gain interest in subjects such as maths. Glasser lets the teacher relax and gives a smoother system for learning.
Glasser lets children choose what they want to do without letting them go.

These are the comments from these 12 and 13 year olds demonstrate the power of these ideas in action.

Judith Brown talks about Bob Sullo

2011-03-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Judith Brown attended the Bob Sullo workshops at Peachgrove Intermediate School.

Visiting Wilford School

2011-02-28T21:05:00.000-08:00

On my last trip to Wilford School I was treated to a quick trip around the classrooms to see what was happening. To enact the values and the vision, the school has two areas of focus on Building Learning Power and Choice Theory which are taught throughout the year.

Building Learning Power links with Choice Theory and teaches students the competencies or dispositions they need to function successfully in the world. It forms out of the Learning Culture. The Inquiry approach is used to teach in a way which is child centred.

The school has three themes a year. The first theme is Systems. Students are studying eco-systems, Marae systems and local council systems. Choice Theory and Building Learning Power are the scaffolding that supports teaching and learning in the school.

In every classroom I visited there was evidence of the Inquiry, Learning Power, Choice Theory or the ideas that Bob Sullo had presented.

Photo One: Liam ( Room 12) is working on his waka in which he will be putting things from his Quality World.

Photo Two: Choice Theory charts

Photo Three: Learning Power Inquiry

Bette Blance shares her perceptions of Bob Sullo's workshop in Hamilton

2011-02-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

Bob Sullo

2010-11-29T14:37:00.001-08:00

Bob Sullo is touring new Zealand in January and February in 2011. He is a wonderful speaker and author. Check out his latest newsletter. Use the drop down menu to access the newsletter.

Choice Theory

2010-11-25T00:48:00.000-08:00

Dr William Glasser, author, psychiatrist, international speaker named his theory about human motivation Choice Theory.