verbal praise

This mixed-methods study examined whether first-year teachers could improve relationships with students through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Fifty novice teachers implemented one of three PBIS strategies: daily one-on-one conversation, verbal praise, or immediate rewards with 192 selected students over a two-week period. Teacher-student relationships were measured using the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS) before and after the intervention. Results showed significant reductions in conflict (t(191) = 7.14, p < .001, d = 0.98) and moderate increases in closeness (t(191) = –7.11, p < .001, d = 0.67). No significant differences emerged across grade levels, teacher and student gender, or PBIS strategy type. Thematic analysis of teacher reflections highlighted improvements in engagement, cooperation, emotional regulation, and relational trust. Although the study was limited by its two-week duration and reliance on teacher self-reports, the findings demonstrate that even brief PBIS interventions can yield measurable relational benefits. Implications are discussed for teacher preparation programs and school-based practice. Keywords: teacher-student relationships, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), teacher preparation programs, first-year/novice teachers, school climate.

This community service activity reports the implementation of a token economy technique to support attention during English-language learning at LKP Endemic, Warungjayeng, Nganjuk. The activity used a classroom-action-oriented plan–act–observe–reflect framework involving 12 learners. Attention was operationalized through 20 observable indicators grouped into seven dimensions: attention orientation, sustained attention, task engagement, response to instruction, active participation, distraction control, and self-regulation. The intervention combined immediate token delivery, behavior-specific verbal praise, token recording, exchange opportunities, and gradual fading. Descriptive results showed a group mean of 43.92/80 at pre-intervention, 56.08/80 in Cycle I, and 67.75/80 in Cycle II. The absolute increase from baseline to Cycle II was 23.83 points, corresponding to a relative increase of approximately 54.26% from baseline. The largest descriptive improvements were observed in response to instruction, active participation, distraction control, and self-regulation. Cycle I reflection identified the need for more consistent timing of token delivery, more explicit behavior-specific praise, and reduced dependence on external rewards; these changes informed Cycle II through selective token delivery and gradual fading. Because the activity involved a small group without a comparison condition, the findings should be interpreted as descriptive evidence of local implementation rather than as a causal estimate of effectiveness. The findings provide a practical framework for integrating behavioral reinforcement with English-learning activities in a non-formal learning setting.