Prior to opening our doors in 2000, the St. Patrick’s school board worked to ensure the success of our mission statement, “To teach as Jesus did by enabling all students to be their best academically, spiritually, and behaviorally.” We not only wanted to provide the best program academically, we wanted to help our children develop and grow behaviorally. After studying a number of programs, the board adopted Discipline With Purpose (DWP). The board felt that DWP best aligned with our mission because the program teaches children the skills they need to be self-disciplined just like they are taught the skills they need to be successful in any curricular area.
Discipline With Purpose History
In 1978 educator Dr. Laurel Tanner authored the text Classroom Discipline. She challenged educators to put the word SELF back into discussions regarding discipline. Twelve principles were suggested as guidelines for parents and educators to use in rethinking their roles as disciplinarians, and teachers of self-discipline. Two educators, Barbara Vasiloff and Paula Lenz, with over 40 years of combined teaching experience, accepted this challenge and made Dr. Tanner’s theory practical.
The results of their efforts culminated in the formation of the 15 self-discipline skills that are used as a framework for making decisions about a person’s growth in self-discipline. This frame-work is the heart of the Discipline With Purpose program. Since Discipline With Purpose was formed in 1984, it has become a nationally acclaimed program that is currently being taught in hundreds of schools by thousands of teachers, parents, and students.