FAVORITE ADULTS @ WISH & WHY – 10/02/25

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Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is utilized to teach and affirm positive adult and student behavior as part of the larger Wish School culture and climate. Wish Students accumulate PAWS as a reward and affirmation for their positive behaviors.

PAWS

P  -  Practice Kindness

A  -  Always Be Respectful

W -  Work Hard

S  -  Stay Safe

UConn HNS, as an aligned and contributing partner @ Wish School, integrates PBIS within all educational programs and school-wide collaborations. UConn HNS staff also serve as the lead facilitators for “Thriving Thursdays” which operates as a rotation of school-wide initiatives that occur every Thursday to celebrate different Wish School stakeholders through investments such as Staff Appreciation, Student Lunch Bunch, Classroom Recesses, Classroom Snacks, PBIS School Store, and more. 

The PBIS School Store is offered once per month during “Thriving Thursday” to every Wish School Student/ Classroom. UConn HNS staff lead with the facilitation of the PBIS School Store, setting up all of the available prizes and working alongside students to support their shopping to purchase prizes using their PAWS. One whole class visits for 15 minutes at a time alongside their teachers and support staff, with 16 total class visits happening throughout the day. 

Students

On 10/02, all K-5th Wish School Students were provided with the opportunity to visit the PBIS School Store. As this was the first opportunity of the school year, on this UConn HNS “Thriving Thursday” @ Wish School, we took this opportunity to engage with students to learn more regarding: Favorite Adults @ Wish & Why? 

 

Students: Who is your favorite adult @ Wish School & Why?

 224 Total Responses

Response Trends

  • 36 different “Favorite Adults” were named as part of the Wish School Community  
  • 53% of Wish School Classroom Teachers were named as “favorite adults” 
  • 16% of Wish School Support Staff were named as “favorite adults”  
  • 14% of Wish School Community Partner Staff were named as “favorite adults” 
  • 12% of Wish School Arts Teachers were named as “favorite adults”  
  • 5% of Wish School Administration were named as “favorite adults”  
  • 12 of the 14 current classroom teachers were most frequently named as students’ favorite adults in the school, when examining responses classroom-by-classroom 

Students: Please explain "Why" this your favorite adult @ Wish School?

Below are some of the primary themes and brief quotes from students' sharing:

Supportive Teaching and Learning

  • “She teaches me and tells me I can do it"
  • "She's really sweet and helps me emotionally"
  • "He makes me happy and feel good, so I want to go to school” 
  • "She makes our activities fun"
  • "Teaches us about healthy foods”
  • “Teaches us new sports”
  • "Because she loves me"

 

Snacks and Play as Rewards

  • "Because she gives us snacks" (x 10)
  • She gives us "donuts", "candy", "snack-packs" as rewards (...maybe we can continue to work towards more fruits, veggies, and other healthy snack options...) 
  • "She let's us play with play dough to relax"
  • "He loves football and plays with us at recess"
  • "She teaches us how to play games during recess"

     

    Creativity and New Experiences with Specials Teachers

    • “Makes fun activities"
    • "Love doing jumping jacks"
    • "We can 3D print with him"
    • "Let's us sing and dance a lot"
    • "Plays piano and we get to sing"
    • "I get to visit the sensory room with them" 

     

    Meeting Student Needs 

    • “Make us feel like we belong"
    • "She keeps us safe"
    • "My teacher makes me feel special and supported"
    • "Always helps me when I am stuck on something"
    • "He let's me visit his office when I need to talk"