1. A Look into the Brain
Emily Robb

2. Did you know…?
• Our brains are always looking for an energy
match.
– Friendships
– Significant other
– Careers/office
• When we find a match, we feel good and
pathways are formed.
• The more pathways that are formed, the more
ingrained this process becomes.

3. Did you know…?
• If we are a quiet person, we tend to gravitate
towards quiet people.
• If we are a loud, outgoing person we tend to
gravitate towards loud and outgoing people.
• We also feel at peace when our brain energy
matches the environment that we are in.

4. Did you know…?
• The brains of our students, are wired the same
way.
• They are seeking an energy match.
• When they are matched, pathways are paved
and satisfaction is felt.
• The more times the match is made, the more
embedded the feeling of satisfaction becomes.

5. What does this mean for us?
• What this means is that when a teen is riled up
and ready to go, he or she is going to feel
satisfied when we enter into a power struggle
and match his or her intensity level.
• The more times this happens, the more
ingrained this pattern becomes.

6. So what do we do?
• What we need to do is stop matching with
negative energy.
• We must work to match positive energy, and
build pathways the reinforce expected and
positive behaviors.

7. How?
• Do not enter a power struggle.
• Remove emotion from your voice.
• Avoid eye contact.
• Use as few words as possible.
• Remove yourself from the situation or area.

8. Then what?
• Start building new pathways with
encouragement.
• Match energy levels when things are positive.
• Use the “When you ___ I feel ____,
because___” approach.

9. Let’s practice…
• With a partner, role play the following scenario.
A student asks if they can go and get a drink of
water. You know that in the past, this student has
abused the hall pass privilege. Your response is
no. When s/he hears this, s/he becomes angry and
argues. What do you do? Remember:
– Do not enter a power struggle.
– Remove emotion from your voice.
– Avoid eye contact.
– Use as few words as possible.
– Remove yourself from the situation or area.