Social contracts serve as the agreement for behavioral expectations in each classroom and should be adhered to by staff, students, and classroom visitors in accordance with the following four questions:

1. How do you want to be treated by me?

2. How do you want to be treated by each other?

3. How do you think I want to be treated by you?

4. How do you want to treat each other when there is conflict? 

By creating this agreement together as a class, students are able to feel confident and empowered in the classroom, knowing what they can expect from the teacher and each other. 

Affirmations give students the opportunity to build each other up through positive statements about their peers.   Affirmations can be given via written or spoken words.  Staff members often join in by giving affirmations to students as well as colleagues.  

Good Things give students an opportunity to share something they are excited or passionate about in their own life.  This allows positive connections to be made amongst students and between students and teachers. 

Daily Greetings may occur through a simple hello, handshake, high five, smile, etc. to welcome students into the teacher’s classroom each day.  This short interaction helps to build meaningful connections between teachers and students. 

The EXCEL Teaching Model provides teachers with additional tools to assist them in building meaningful relationships with students, providing safe learning environments, and developing a collaborative classroom culture. 

E - Engage 

X - X-plore 

C - Communicate 

E - Empower 

L - Launch

Engage: Each class begins with staff members personally greeting each student. 

X-plore: Teachers and staff provide opportunities for students to listen, engage, and talk with other students regarding their thoughts and feelings.  Students may share Good Things to celebrate the experiences taking place in their lives. 

Communicate: Teachers strive to build a classroom community where dialogue amongst students exists and the teacher takes on the role of facilitator of student learning.   Classroom lessons are often discussed in relation to the real-world relevance to show students the importance of education in their lives. 

Empower: Students are empowered by teachers and staff to engage more with peers, and are equipped to self-manage their own behaviors.  In addition, students learn about problem-solving and accountability for their own actions. 

Launch: Each class ends with an intentional effort to share a positive thought, quote, video, etc which serves to provide closure for the day and inspire hope for each student.