First, Teaching students, staff and teachers how, when, and where to do the actual TheBreatheSystem patterns.

Second, Training staff and teachers to use the Voice Management for Teachers so that how they sound does not generate negative, hostile or inappropriate responses in students.

To watch the video or listen to the radio interview you will need to have the RealPlayer installed on your system. Click on the free realplayer icon to download a copy of the program. The program is easy to install and only takes a few minutes to download.

"I would love to see The BREATHE System go nation wide. With all the stress we have in our country right now and the days ahead, The BREATHE System could only help all of us endure our daily stress levels better."
Diana Primm

After Ralph Hillman taught a teacher in-service workshop, Feb 15, 2001, Black Fox Elementary School, Murfreesboro, TN, began using a new approach to deal with the threat of classroom violence, reduce stress and improve classroom test scores by applying the BREATHE System. Under the leadership of Principal Zane Cantrell, zcantrell@cityschools.net, Black Fox Elementary has become a "BREATHE Learning Community Model School" where all teachers and students are being taught to use and reap the benifits of the elements of The BREATHE System.

"I am in chorus. I sometimes find it embarrassing! I always get hot when I sing.I get SO nervous. You taught me that I could breathe deeply. Today, March second ,was the Murfreesboro City schools day to preform at STONES RIVER MALL! I saw a lot of people there and I thought WOW! I took a big breath.Then another and another. I felt very relaxed and NOT nervous."
Hannah Wiser
Fourth Grade

The BREATHE System helps deal with school violence in two ways:

1. Prevention: the potential for committing violent behavior may be significantly reduced by decreasing stress and tension in the classroom, in three ways; (A) by improving teacher vocal behavior and classroom control, (B) by having teachers and students utilizing "The Big Three" (erect posture, relaxed neck and shoulder muscles, and breathing from the diaphram) and (C) by having teachers and students using the calming breathe as a habit pattern.

2. Coping with actual threats: Teachers have a well-rehearsed, concrete, seven-step plan of exactly what to do/not to do with any threats of violence or other disruption in the classroom.

Click here to view and download selected handouts from The BREATHE System.

Click on the Real Icon to hear a radio interview with Dr. Hillman discussing the BREATHE System. The interview was conducted by Linda Woods on her program Windows To Wellness

The BREATHE System is available as a single interactive, CD-ROM (with almost three hours of video and printable handouts); or as a series of three videotapes. The investment for the program is $250; contact Dr. Hillman for multiple program discounts.

Ralph Hillman, Ph.D, MTSU Speech Professor, Ralph@theBREATHEsystem.com author, presentation coach and professional speaker, has been presenting breathing strategies to reduce stress and improve vocal production for audiences across the nation for over 25 years.

Phil Waldrop, Ed.D., MTSU Education Professor, pwaldrop@mtsu.edu sought after classroom management expert and collaborator with Dr. Hillman for the past 7 years, believes The BREATHE System information has helped his Education students to be better prepared to handle students in the classrooms they are being trained to serve.

Carl Shartner, Ph.D., author, visiting lecturer and Consulting Psychologist, shartner@worldnet.att.net created the concept of Voice Management for Teachers and the initial BREATHE seven step plan for coping with threats of classroom violence. Together, these three are responsible for The BREATHE System as it currently exists.