Boys With a Purpose

Amanda Ramby is in her third year as an exceptional student education teacher at Port Malabar Elementary School in Palm Bay. She adores her work, but like anything, it comes with its own set of unique challenges. 

Teachers everywhere are facing increasing behavioral problems in their classrooms. A 2019 study by the Education Advisory Board found that “the vast majority of educators perceive student misbehavior to be on the rise, regardless of their position or background.” 

Problems with student behavior can be attributed to any number of things, such as boredom, frustration coping with learning disabilities, or trauma at home. Add the stressors that have come with navigating a pandemic for the past two years, and it’s safe to say that kids acting out in class could be at an all time high. 

In the beginning of the school year, Ramby came up with an idea for an exciting program to help her class of all boys improve their behavior and social skills in and out of school — the Boys with a Purpose Club. 

Once a month, Ramby carves out some time from her busy class schedule for a club meeting. Seeing a need for strong male role models in her students’ lives, she has collaborated with Instructional Assistant Stephan Lys to lead the boys in discussions and activities that focus on respect for self and others, social skills, and appreciation of etiquette and manners. They have also welcomed guests like the school principal, school resource officer and other community members to participate in club meetings. 

In their first meeting, the boys discussed what it means to respect their friends, families and teachers. They practiced greeting people with a handshake (don't forget eye contact and a nice firm grip!) and watched a demonstration on how to tie a necktie. 

Ramby says her students look forward to their monthly meetings and, “They are learning to be respectful young men, even during this crazy time.”

Robert Fulghum, author of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” once said, “Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” 

It certainly seems that Ramby has taken a page from his book as she strives to lead by example and set her students up for success in her classroom and for the years to come. 

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