Alan Bandstra

Background

About Alan Bandstra

How does a teacher manage learners when dominant children negatively impact classroom dynamics? As an educator for more than 30 years, the peer-influence puzzle continues to challenge me.I have researched group dynamics from the angles of empirical literature, scripture, and my own classroom experience. Believing that my study could help others, I wrote the book Solutions That Heal: Responding to Infectious Behavior in Learning Spaces. This book helps educators rebuild healthy learning communities. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a great text for professional development, book clubs, or youth leadership training. I also share my findings through workshops and seminars. Examples of recent sessions include— Attitude germ and how to treat it: What causes attitudes to spread like contagions? How can educators fortify themselves amid infectious behavior and restore wholeness to learning spaces? The neurobiology of classroom dynamics: How does the human nervous system contribute to contagious behavior and teacher reactivity? How can we account for biological tender spots in the ways we manage learning spaces? The status effect: What makes prestige a universal human drive? How can we manage learning communities when earning cool points supersedes a desire to grow and develop? Delicate conversations: How do we respond when pop culture’s notions about sexuality worm their way into classroom dynamics? Powerful but not pushy—the gentle nudge of storytelling: How can we craft and deliver stories that shift mindsets and redirect collective behavior? Silence syndrome: How do we keep learning alive when children shrink away from participating? Hope for a hurting classroom culture: Why does the notion of creating classroom culture expose our learning communities to breakdowns? How can a posture of healing restore hope in what schooling stands to offer?My seminars and workshops are characterized by an invitational approach, one that parallels my classroom practice. I invite participants to consider new ideas by explaining concepts through helpful illustrations and relatable stories. As a fellow learner, I welcome spontaneous questions and fresh perspectives.If you are interested in scheduling a session, please contact me at abandstra@siouxcenterchristian.com.