ABOUT
Tools Not Rules™ was created by two educators
with tons of experience and heart.
Over the years of team teaching, we developed strategies to hold students accountable and help them forward on the journey to being serious, assertive, workers. We deeply care about their academic progress, AND we deeply care that they stay connected to us and the content they are learning.
TNR works with students, teachers, and administrators.
Both of us have our own children, and we add that experience to what we know about working with kids and separating the behavior from the child.
How Tools Not Rules™ Developed
Claudia and Marlene have worked in K-7 classrooms for a combined total of over 40 years. When co-teaching together for 8 years in Nevada, they began to see the need to change the way they discussed behavior. As they co-taught, one was out in front, and one was in back watching what was really going on with students. There were a whole host of behaviors getting in the way of learning, yet they needed a new way to talk to kids as so much of the corrections in classrooms create a feeling of shame and confirmation of students' ability to do school well. From those roots, Tools Not Rules™ was developed.
As Marlene continued her career in the middle school environment, the process continued to produce high student engagement and increased her own happiness. Others educators noticed and started adopting the language with ease. Within two years, Tools Not Rules™ was school wide. Now, it is sought out from schools within the district and neighboring districts.
As Claudia moved into higher education, she noticed that university students benefited from this approach that focused on dealing with honesty and self reflection.