Discipline for Promoting
Responsibility and Learning

What People Say:

District | Primary | Elementary | Junior High/Middle School
High School | University | Parents | Students | Others

District

"I not only enjoyed your keynote at our five-district staff development but the specific examples you gave of how to redirect negative communications to positive ones. The resounding applause you received from the more than 425 attendees attests to how your message was received.

Dominick Potena, Superintendent
Margate City School District
Margate City, New Jersey

"Your excellent presentation, so eloquently and charmingly delivered, made for a Leadership Conference that will be long remembered and discussed. Thank you very much for joining us at Fordham University, and for helping to make our conference a success. You have greatly added to our school leaders' arsenals for helping teachers look freshly upon a major issue."

Patricia A. Romandetto, Superintendent
Community School District 3
City of New York Board of Education

"Since we have employed your system our students not only exhibit an immense turnaround in how they act in school, they also work with others at their respective peer level to create a positive learning environment."

Clair R. Garrick, Superintendent
Elgin School District, Elgin, OR

"We have tried dozens of strategies to improve classroom discipline, all with limited or no success until we tried Dr. Marshall's program. I believe his program, "Discipline without Stress, Punishments, or Rewards," is the best hope public schools have in dealing with discipline issues. We are planning to implement his strategies in all eighteen of our schools."

Robert E. Beck, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent
Richmond County Schools, Hamlet, NC

"I am so impressed with Dr. Marshall's strategies and the simplicity of the program."

Sarah Crippen, Education specialist
Education Service Center Region XV, San Angelo, TX

"Teachers, administrators, social workers, and psychologists were able to begin immediately applying the concepts and implementing many of the strategies you taught us."

Barbara McFadden, EH/SED Program Resources
Brevard District Schools, Viera, FL

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Primary

I went looking for your book and felt the moment I found it that this was what I've been looking for my entire teaching career.

Debby Stockton, 1st-2nd Grade Loop Teacher
Bakersfield, CA

"It seems like you are the hero teachers need at this time where the challenges are incredible."

Jonathon Santamone, Third Grace Teacher
Maxson Elementary School, El Monte, CA

"A class I took on classroom management required your book for reading. I have implemented the levels in my kindergarten classroom.  I LOVE it!!! "

Kimberly Gates, Kindergarten Teacher
Bullard Elementary School, Kennesaw, GA

"We have reduced our discipline referrals by 65% from one year to the next. Our teachers are happier, the children are learning, and our parents have bought into it as well. We are  even using it in our after-school program, and our extended school staff loves the change in the way the children respond to any kind of redirection . . . and the relationships that have been built are outstanding."

Patricia Henry, Principal
Carver Elementary School, Georgetown, TX

"I visited my daughter in her k class today and she has implemented your strategy. I was deeply impressed as I am in my 40th year as an educator. I see the stress that she used to have in 8 plus years--right up until the time she put your wisdom into her teaching--is gone. WOW . . . I wish I had this knowledge to share with other teachers throughout these years. Today you put a lot more spark into my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Jim Miller
Wetzel County, WV

"As a teaching and learning community, there was a consensus among our staff that we needed to find a better way to help students make independent choices in their behavior. We found the system to be a simple, yet highly effective way to help students learn to make responsible choices."

Jamie Turner, Principal
Sickles School, Fair Haven, New Jersey

"Your ideas about what motivates us have had a profound impact creating a positive environment for our children."

Pamela Blood
Child Care, Murrieta Valley Unified School District, CA

"Since your presentation, I have already seen your ideas implemented with very positive results throughout our K-3 school."

Kathryn Parsons, Principal
Burchfield Primary School, Colusa, CA

"Your ideas on rewards and punishments, extrinsic/intrinsic motivation, social responsibility, and strategies for effective discipline were valuable information and very relevant for my teachers who are grappling over their discipline programs."

Patricia Murakami, Principal
Arco Iris Primary Center, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

"We use your program to accurately evaluate the school's hallways, cafeteria, transition times, and recesses. My students are incredibly empowered at the young age of five."

Veronica Rideaux, Kindergarten Teacher and New Teacher Mentor
Verde Elementary School, Richmond, CA

"I am so pleased with the program because children take responsibility for themselves. I returned to public education this year and was horrified by the stickers, tickets, etc. that most teachers were using. It's demeaning to children."

Megan Fettig, Pre-kindergarten Teacher
Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX

"All of my students can now recognize their own level of behavior and label it appropriately. They know almost instantly when they need to make a better choice. This takes much less time away from instruction and keeps the classroom climate stress-free and positive."

Dianne Capell, Primary Music Teacher
Ikego Elementary School, Zushi, Japan

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Elementary

My students wouldn't be where they are now in terms of their character development and good decision-making skills without Discipline Without Stress. People need to know that there is a way to teach intrinsic motivation that will stay with young people throughout their lives helping them to succeed and become productive, responsible members of society.

It is so rewarding to hear one of my students say, "I think we can fix this. Let's think about what we can do to make things better." He is eight years old and was totally out of control. His grandmother told me, "Mrs. Brock, we will thank you until the day we die."

Debbie Brock, Principal
Appalachian Christian Academy, Manchester, KY

"This is the best year I have had in the 25 years of being a principal. Behavior has not been a problem this year. Our students are learning to solve their problems in a positive way. We find that with the proper instruction, students can monitor their own behavior and make responsible choices without the use of punishment and rewards."

Phelps Wilkins, Principal
Eisenhower Elementary School, Mesa, AZ

"You have developed a discipline model for positive behavior that improves learning. Your presentation targeted skills and strategies that teachers could use immediately. There were over seventy participants who left with new ideas and skills on discipline and management. 

Dr. Harriet Gould Principal
Raymond Elementary School, Valparaiso, Nebraska

"This should be a required course of study in every collegiate education major curriculum."

Al Herring, Principal
Plain Dealing Elementary School, Plain Dealing, LA

"Our staff has been working hard to eliminate coercive practices from our interactions with students. Your strategies helps us move closer to our goal."

Ruth Foster, Principal
Winans Elementary School, Lansing, MI

"We especially liked the fact that the teachers were no longer punishing students but guiding them to self-analyze. We have begun using authority in a non-adversarial manner in order to establish and maintain a caring classroom environment."

Pamela Marton, Principal
Community School, Los Angeles Unified School District, CA

"This is the most human approach ever presented in moving children to intrinsically internalize responsibility."

Faye Anderson, Principal, 21st Century Academy
San Francisco Unified School District, CA

"The 'positivity' that this provides for teachers, administrators, and parents, but, most importantly, for children, has the potential to change the lives of all involved."

Charlene Norris, Principal
Northfield Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN

"Despite our high student transiency and teacher turnover, the discipline program still has set a tone on our campus that has improved ever since your presentation. Discipline problems have been minimized because students know that misbehavior is not tolerated and that students will still be treated with respect."

Peter Cole
San Marino School, Buena Park, CA

"Thank you for coming to Jupiter to share your humanistic approach to maintain classroom discipline. In less than a week's time, teachers have used and have already found success with specific ideas and procedures you shared and modeled."

Lynn Spadaccini, Principal
Jupiter Elementary School, Palm Bay, FL

"I like the positive emphasis, the way to de-stress, how to get children to take responsibility for their choices, and the systematic approach."

Lynn Howard, Assistant Principal
Alyce Taylor Elementary School, Sparks, NV

"As a counselor, there are several reasons why I like the system. The main reason is that it is teaching our students the highest levels of social behavior. A second reason is that it is leading our students to use positive, intrinsically motivated behaviors. I always wanted to get students to that level of behavior, but I didn't know how. With your system we are seeing students operate from intrinsic motivation to do the right thing without being told or reminded. The third reason I like the system is that it is a very compassionate way to deal with students, especially when the students make mistakes in their behavior."

Peggy Morris, Elementary School Counselor
Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, AZ

"I now have a way to put a stop to bullying."

Valerie Mefford, Teacher,
Frankfort Independent Schools, Frankfort, KY

"Dr. Marshall has an incredible method for increasing good behavior in the classroom."

Michelle Austin, second grade teacher
Fairview Heights School, Hamlet, NC

"I really love the idea of intrinsic motivation--but didn't know it could be taught or learned. I enjoyed being aware that the real root of the problems facing us today is the lack of social responsibility--and we can develop it in our students. Pretty dog-gone exciting!"

Joy Schmidt, Teacher
McDowell School, Chicago, IL

"I really liked your philosophy on how students learn. I wanted a way to intrinsically motivate. I have read and read that this is how to do it--intrinsic vs. extrinsic but never get the how to. Thanks. You gave me that."

Deneen Zimmerman, Teacher
McDonnell School, Flatwoods, KY

"You have truly given us one of the greatest gifts possible--hope."

Tom Amato, 6th Grade Teacher
Foothills Adventist Elementary School, St. Helena, CA

"Thank you so much. I am inspired!"

Helen Mahoney,
Salisbury Central School, Lakeville, CT

"Thank you for coming up with a program that incorporates growth in the area of social responsibility. We desperately need it."

Cecille Veloria, Teacher
El Dorado School, Stockton, CA

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Junior High/Middle School

"I spent the second day talking to my class about the hierarchy. Their homework was for them to go online and research the Raise Responsibility System. We discussed their viewpoints the 3rd day of school and the changes started immediately. The entire atmosphere in my algebra class is changed to one of maturity, self-discipline, helpfulness, and respect. I am not exhausted by the end of the day from trying to control all my students. No more adversarial confrontations!"

Sharon Miles, Math Teacher
Indian Creek School, Crownsville, Maryland

"We have been searching for many years to find a proactive approach in managing student conduct. Your presentation completely moved, captured, empowered, and changed the lives of our teachers."

Dr. Larry Collier, Principal
Brookhaven Middle School, Decatur, AL

"By using your methodology school-wide, we have transformed our school. Thank you seems inadequate; yet it is a sincere thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.  Dr. Marshall, we have a different school this year! Our office referrals have been cut by more than half from the year before. One of our teachers questioned how we were able to ever operate without your approach. I wholeheartedly agree. The climate at McFadden is positive, a climate of mutual respect, a climate of togetherness and cooperation. We are forever grateful to you for your insight into adolescent and adult minds, for helping us change negatives to positives, and for helping us to renew our dedication to teaching.""

Esther Severy, Principal
McFadden Intermediate School, Santa Ana, CA

"With thirteen years experience as a secondary principal and over twenty years in education, I couldn't agree more that coercion is a faulty approach in working with students. Dr. Marshall's 'Raise Responsibility System' is what students need to take control of their lives and will instill in them the skills to be happy, productive citizens. . . . Personally, I believe his presentation to our staff was one of the best I have seen in twenty years."

Kent Bunderson, Principal
Vernal Junior High School, Vernal, UT

"Last year I was my county's 'Teacher of the Year' and yet I was contemplating finding a different occupation. As I implemented the Raise Responsibility System, some misbehaviors stopped the instant students reflected on their actions. Good students rose to even higher levels of maturity. Students told me they felt more relaxed and less in conflict with me. I am now less stressed and feel I am helping students make permanent changes, rather than temporary behavior modifications. I will not return to the 'carrot and stick' approach which almost drove me from the profession that I love."

William A. Funkhouser
2003-2004 Humboldt County Teacher of the Year
Johns Hopkins Educational Fellow
Winship Middle School, Eureka, CA

"One teacher said said that in all her 30 years in teaching, Dr. Marshall's book and presentation are the best and most comprehensive approach she has ever seen. I like the way that he has brought the philosophies and practices of so many great thinkers, practitioners, and experts into one comprehensive approach."

David Earp, Principal
South Junior High School, St. Cloud, MN

"Dr. Marshall's program was not only well researched and thought out, but it had great success with our at-risk students."

Antonia Issa Lahera, Principal
George Washington Middle School, Long Beach, CA

"We now have a discipline process that underpins the academic success we are aiming for."

Barbara Aguilar, Principal
Sierra Vista Middle School, La Puente, CA

"Your one day seminar laid the foundation for the best year by far ever since the demographic shift of the 80's. We followed up your seminar with some soul searching discussions and came away from our "charge" with unity of how discipline should be handled."

Raymond Hill, Principal
Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Indio, CA

"More important than the reduction in referrals is the understanding of our students that behavior is their responsibility. They have also come to understand that they have choices they can make when faced with real life situations. Our staff now feels they can spend more time on teaching and less time on discipline issues."

Alfredo Reyes, Vice-Principal
Sierra Vista Middle School, La Puente, CA

"What a great day this has been for both students and faculty. I cannot tell you how much we appreciate what you have taught us."

Mollie Hicks, Teacher and Coordinator
Martin Luther King Middle School, Monroe, LA

"I feel empowered again as a teacher."

Kathryn Johnson, English Teacher
Cole Camp Junior High School, Cole Camp, MO

"The materials presented were your experience in classroom situations, which made them realistic, not theoretical. You have given me the opportunity to immediately incorporate this into my classroom."

Stephen Dent, 7th Grade Science Teacher
Henry County Middle School, New Castle, KY

"It reduces stress, one of the greatest problems in teaching today."

William Roll, 6-8 Computers and History Teacher
Blythe Middle School, Blythe, CA

"The program's use of intrinsic motivation makes the responsibility of classroom behavior fall on the individual student, not on the teacher. It is such a relief to see my students reminding their peers of the responsibility to the class, instead of having to reach a confrontation where punishment was necessary."

Heather Hawley, English Teacher
Lexington Junior High School, Anaheim, CA

"Everything can be used immediately--not only with students but with anyone I come in contact with. I am empowered."

Leslie Bezich, English Teacher
Dana Middle School, Los Angeles, CA

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High School

"Dr. Marshall's approach helped us build our student body to become capable of motivating themselves and taking personal responsibility for their decisions. We have had the smoothest opening of a school year to date; our work with him was a key factor in helping this happen. I recommend to anyone who works with young people that they jump at the opportunity to work with Dr. Marshall."

Sam Decker, Principal and Jeff Palladino, Co-Director
The Bronx Guild High School, Bronx, New York, New York

"I recently spoke with a teacher who had attended one of your trainings a year or two back, and according to him, your techniques had revolutionized his classroom. This is especially significant since this teacher instructs an opportunity class, and had previously relied primarily on drill sergeant-like coercion to maintain his classroom environment.

"This was the second such conversation I have had regarding your trainings with this teacher. It was interesting to me that we was just as enthusiastic about what he had learned during our most recent conversation as he was when we had first talked about it about a year earlier. I've known this teacher for along time, so I know how he teaches.  He doesn't take to new ideas or techniques very easily, so when he endorsed your trainings, I paid attention."

Terry Jones, Coordinator of Professional Development
Antelope Valley Union High School District

"I am starting my 12th year as a high school science teacher and came to the realization that my classroom discipline was causing me more stress than anything else. I decided to  buy the book, created a poster using your RRSystem as a template, and introduced the rough idea to my high school students during the first week. After 4 weeks of classes, this has been the best start to a school year I have had in a long time."

Chris Kennedy
Hiram High School

"Your book REVOLUTIONIZED parts of my 24-year teaching career. I frequently hear said to me in response to my discussion with other teachers, "Right Scott, right. Punishment doesn't work. We know, we know." BUT. Those who have really listened and applied that one simple principle are enjoying increased success in the classroom. THANK YOU for writing this book."

Scott Bevan
Geneva High School

"If punishments worked, our prisons would be empty. If rewards worked, all employees would be productive."

Mike Gilman, Principal
Palo Verde High School. Blythe, CA

"For the first time in many years, we had advice we could walk back into the classroom and actually use the next day. You helped us realize the importance of using discipline as a learning tool rather than as a purely punitive measure, and that true change in behavior comes from within."

Gretchen J. Fleming, Ph.D., Principal
Pattonville High School, Maryland Heights, MO

"I am a better teacher and, indeed, a better person. The insights offered into what motivates us had a profound effect on me. It got me thinking as to who I am as a teacher, a husband, and a father. I am stunned and grateful."

Robert Boyd, English Teacher
Scripps Ranch High School, San Diego, CA

"The entire concept is so easily administered. I am going to recommend we address the topic of social irresponsibility as our state debate topic for next year."

Donna Ringland, English Teacher and Debate Coach
Laredo, TX

"I was anxious to use the program. I was weary from being in an adversarial relationship with a few disruptive students who drain the energy I need to teach the majority of students who desire to learn."

Marc Duvall, Teacher
Leuzinger High School, Hawthorne, CA

"I came away with information, learning, and motivation that will allows me to be more successful in the classroom for years to come."

Robert Prentice, Ed.D., Teacher
Richland, MI

"The program is user friendly by the step-by-step implementation."

Gardner Reynolds, Teacher
LaVilla High School, LaVilla, TX

"The positive rather than the punitive approach works."

Nancy Nuesseler, Teacher
Leuzinger High School, Hawthorne, CA

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Universities

"We were fortunate to have Dr. Marshall lead our College of Education students in a fabulous workshop. He demonstrated how to teach students to make thoughtful choices and how to take charge of their own learning. Spending the day with him was a very precious learning event."

Suzy McBride, Ph.D.
College of Education
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

"You have integrated all the 'best practices' into one comprehensive reform model."

Elaine Haglund, Ph.D.
Professor Dept. of Educational Psychology,
Administration, and Counseling
California State University, Long Beach, CA

"We have seldom conducted a conference or workshop that received such consistently high evaluations from participants."

Wayne A. Babchuk, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

"With a heightened awareness of the integral role discipline plays in our successful schools, we were pleased to have such a hands-on program to help our teachers. A big thank you for sharing your expertise in Central New York."

Scott Shablak,
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

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Parents

"Immediately, my frame of mind changed from 'How do I teach my boy?' to 'What do I need to learn? How can I change my approach?' The wealth of information and the spirit of how to apply it is overwhelmingly enlightening."

Kehaulani Ah Quin, Parent
Honolulu, HI

"This opened my eyes to a whole new method. Some days I am nagging my seven-year-old son all day, and we both end up with a lot of negative feelings. You have shown me how to guide, rather than dictate. Now we both end up with positive feelings."

Leticia Romo, Parent
Alhambra, CA

"The mere fact that my daughter is actually thinking in a positive manner to accomplish something she wants gives me hope. Maybe there is light at the end of this tunnel after all!"

Teela Gibbens, Parent
Buena Park, CA

"As a mother of two teenagers, creating an environment that was stress-free really appealed to me . . . Since using the approach in our home, life seems so much more  enjoyable. The truth is that our children do know what is expected of them. Holding them to a higher level of responsibility has mad all of our lives more peaceful."

Wendi Hall, Parent
Vestavia Hills, AL

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Students

"Although I do not know what happened in past experiences, I do know the maturity of this class has heightened."

Vince N.
Cypress, CA

"I think that the program is really good. It works and it's better than detentions. I think every school should have this. The class hasn't talked as much since you introduced this program. I think they should have this in every class."

Andrew D.
Cypress, CA

"The program has paid off well. I feel that it is a better alternative than detentions, referrals, and even suspension because of the fact that the teacher doesn't have to do a whole lot, but we do. It also helps us to understand what we did wrong. I feel that it's a lot better than serving a detention because we have to use our brains to come up with a solution to the problem. So, in the end, not only are we learning but the teachers get a break from all the keeping track of detentions."

Chris W.
Cypress, CA

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Others

Having you speak at our Teachers Matter Conference in New Zealand was a real pleasure. You inspired, motivated and sent our 800 teachers off with practical and easy strategies that will make a difference to themselves and their students for life.

Karen Boyes, CEO - Spectrum Education, Ltd.
Wellington, New Zealand

"From time to time one comes across a program which impacts on the area in which we live. Such is the case with Dr. Marvin Marshall who creates a win/win strategy. I found his ideas relevant to our own business where we must deal with improper actions on the part of employees."

Jim Speer, Director, Rotary International
Covina, CA

"Your handouts on "Tips for Parents" was most refreshing and motivated many of us to think about how we relate with our children. I personally found your ideas improve relationships--not only in business and professionally, but personally as well."

Hendrik Gillebaard
Laguna Beach Rotary Club, Laguna Beach, CA

"I have felt for a long time that many of the approaches to incentivizing performance and the punitive methods used for lack of performance were unenlightened. Your program gives hope for our educational system."

Mike Rounds, President
Greater Los Angeles Chapter, National Speakers Association, Los Angeles, CA

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