TEACHER'S CORNER: HELPING YOUNGSTERS GET BACK ON TRACK

Robin Kralemann's job is to keep a class full of children with behavioral problems on track, both academically and behaviorally.

Kralemann teaches students with behavioral disorders in grades four, five and six at Alma Schrader Elementary School.

"A behavioral disorder classroom is, by its very nature, unique," Kralemann said. "While you may have 25 children in one grade level and one set of lessons in a regular classroom, in our class you have 10 to 12 students on three different grade levels with each student requiring individualized lessons.

"Additionally, each of these students requires nearly one-on-one attention and constant supervision to keep them on track both academically and behaviorally."

Teaching youngsters with behavioral problems goes beyond academics. She teaches the youngsters social skills to address their behavior problems.

"Many people believe that students will simply `outgrow' inappropriate behaviors," Kralemann said. "However, research has indicated that these behaviors are not outgrown without some type of instruction or intervention."

In her classroom, Kralemann teaches youngsters things like introducing themselves, starting a conversation, interrupting a conversation, making eye contact, sharing and displaying good manners.

"The students are given the opportunity to role play the correct behavior within the classroom," she said. "The behaviors are also modeled for the students by the teacher so that they may observe appropriate behaviors. The new skills are reinforced by using games designed to promote and reinforce appropriate social skills."

Kralemann said the work pays off.

"The most gratifying aspect of my teaching is seeing children who failed in the past begin to have success," Kralemann said. "The students who enter my program have extreme behavior problems. Soon, they begin to feel worthwhile and important in the classroom. They develop a positive sense of self-esteem about themselves and a more positive attitude about school in general. Their successes outnumber their failures."

Kralemann is currently in her third year of teaching, after assisting in a behavioral disorder classroom for a year and a half.

She holds a bachelor degree in early childhood education and is certified in both elementary education and behavior disorder education. She is working on her masters degree.

She is married to Danny Kralemann and they have a pet cat named Woody.

She enjoys cross-stitching and interior design, but her summers are spent playing softball. She typically plays on two co-ed teams during the summer.

She is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society, the Missouri State Teachers Association and the Cape Girardeau Community Teachers Association. She is also a member of First Presbyterian Church.