After weeks of complaints from students and teachers, Omaha Public Schools administrators called off class at Nathan Hale Middle School to address safety.
Complaints of out of control students prompted a call to action since there were reports of fights and even kids attacking teachers.
About 50-60 teachers participated in a training course on Tuesday at NHMS to give them better techniques and tools to deescalate behavioral problems, and engage students.
The hired consulting firm, Visionary Leaders Institute, wants students to believe they can achieve, have teachers set high expectations, and create better relationships with students and parents.
“That’s the only thing we want to instill today that they can do it. That they can do it and the students can do it,” said Ako Kambon, President of Visionary Leaders Institute. “I believe having now worked with the students in this building that there’s every possibility that these students can achieve academically. There’s nothing that shows me these students won’t be able to do it and there’s nothing that says these teachers won’t be able to do it.”
Educators like Terrell Matthews, a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Nathan Hale, say part of the issue is making students feel a connection to the school.
"Today's training has really given us a chance to reflect on our progress of our school and look at our lesson planning and come up with new and inventive ways to try to reach troubled students that might feel that they're not connected with the staff," Matthews explained.
Enrollment at the school nearly doubled when 6th grade was added. Extra security was brought in after complaints about unruly students.
Training will continue on Wednesday.
