Tips for Teachers:

Do's for teachers

• Treat Gang Involved Students with the same Respect and Value shown to Other Students.
• Have High Expectations for Academic Achievement.
• Expect Gang Involved Students to Submit Assignments.
• Provide more Cooperative and Hands-On Learning Experiences.
• Actively Involve Gang Members in the Learning Process.
• Only Talk to Individual Students about Gang Involvement.
• Enlist Gang Involved Students to Work with Other Students on School Projects and Other Extra Curriculum Activities.
• Do Set Definite Rules and Consequences. Suspend, File Charges, Etc., if Needed. Gang Kids Respect and Expect Discipline and Structure
• Enforce All Rules with respect.
• Be Consistent with Consequences for ALL Students.
• Keep Current on Words or Activities that are Gang Related: Dress, different types of music, slang
• Know Students by Street Names or Nicknames.
• Give Gang Members Responsibility that Enhances Their Positive Self-Esteem: Tutors, Helpers, Etc.
• Show Concern and Empathy for Gang Involved Youth.
• Be Open and Honest. Promote Informal Communication with Gang Involved Youth

Don'ts for teachers

• Do Not Humiliate or Embarrass Gang Involved Students (especially in front of peers)
• Do Not Publicly Praise Gang Members for Academic Achievement before Checking with Student.
• Do Not Allow Students to Write Gang Symbols or Turn in assignments with Gang Style Writing
• Do Not Allow Gang Members from the Same Set to Work Together.
• Do Not Allow Gang Involved Students to "Disappear" in the Classroom.
• Do Not Allow Your Classroom to be Used as a Gang Forum.
• Do Not Allow Students to overly Group or Clique Together and Exclude Other Groups.
• Do Not Change your Mind about Enforcing Rules. Gang Kids See Inconsistencies as a Weakness and Will Exploit It.
• Do Not Challenge or Try to Intimidate Gang Involved Youth, Especially in Front of Their Peers.
• Do Not Make Exceptions for Favorite Students.
• Do Not Allow Students to Use Words or Activities that are Gang Related
• Do Not Allow Students to Refer to Each Other by Gang Monikers.
• Do Not Trust Gang Members Completely. Be a Guide and Mentor
• Do Not Become an Enabler by Providing Excuses for the Student's Negative Behaviors
• Do Not Become a Home Boy/Girl to Gang Kids.

Tips for teachers

Discipline

• Have School and Classroom Rules Posted and Clearly Visible
• Continuously Discuss the Rules and Your Expectations
• Invite Student Participation in Rules Development and During Discussions on the Rules
• Be Firm, Fair, and Consistent in Enforcing Rules
• Know the School Policies and be sure of Enforcement
• Discipline with Respect and in a Low Key Manner
• Remind Them You are Doing Your Job
• Discipline Away From Peers

Keep Your Cool

• Take Immediate Appropriate Action
• Do Not Get Into Head-butting Contests
• Do Not Lay Hands on a Student or their Belongings in a Hostile or Aggressive Manner
• Do Not Put Gang Members "On The Spot"
• Swiftly and Decisively Intervene Before the Conflict gets out of Hand

Be observant

• Know the "playas"
• Be Aware of Gang Rivalries
• Do Not let Gang Members from the Same Set Sit Next to Each Other
• Be Culturally Sensitive
• Multiple Intelligences - Everyone is different
• Find Assets They Possess
• No Drug Trafficking Tests
• Be Aware of Precursors to Aggressive Acts Act

Be Proactive

• Maintain a Safe Class Environment
• Connect With the Students
• Keep Students Involved
• Interact with the Students
• Give Students HOPE
• Build Rapport!
• Make Curriculum Relevant to the "Real World" and Culturally Sensitive
• Use Good Judgment
• Show Passion and understanding of other cultures
• Include More Hands-On Activities

You do not have to win every battle to win the war!

Special acknowledgement and thanks to Wayne Sakamoto of the San Diego County Office of Education/Safe Schools Unit, who compiled this information.