About Aviva

Aviva Schwab, M.Ed.

Aviva Schwab has made STEP her life's work. She holds a Master's Degree in Education. Aviva has used the STEP method extensively with young people in school and camp settings as well as with her own two children. In New York City, her classes were featured on Eyewitness News (WABC) on June 3, 2005 and on Live at 5 (WNBC) on January 18, 2007. Aviva has offered STEP workshops since 1983, teaching the program over 300 times.

Aviva writes:

To everyone who cares about children:

I feel very thankful that I was introduced to Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). Because of STEP, my sons have developed into responsible, compassionate adults. STEP has even helped me in my relationship with my husband! I know it sounds syrupy, but STEP enabled us to raise our children in an atmosphere of cooperation and fun. Misbehavior was dealt with in a calm, constructive way.

I also feel very fortunate to have the job of passing on the STEP method – both in person and through the audiocassettes and CDs. The only downside is the painful realization that there are still so many homes and classrooms that rarely experience “cooperation and fun.” I truly believe that the world would be a much better place if everyone used the STEP method.

IN APPRECIATION

I am thankful for the knowledge and insights of Alfred Adler, Rudolf Dreikurs, Don Dinkmeyer, Sr., Gary D. McKay and Don Dinkmeyer, Jr. I feel privileged to pass on their unique understanding of children’s behavior to new generations.

I am also grateful for the work of Louise Poloney, Scot Ziegler, Jacob Tanenbaum, Terry Friedman of Knight Creative Services, Inc. and everyone at both Prior King Press and T & M Digital Services. I am awed by their generosity of time and effort. Finally, I am indebted to all of my students for their input and inspiration.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, Cincinnati, Ohio. Master of Education, 1979.

CITY COLLEGE OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, New York, New York. B.A. Summa Cum Laude, 1973.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR, Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). Workshop with Don Dinkmeyer, Sr., an author of the program. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 1986.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION (Permanent), New York State Education Department. Granted in 1981.

EXPERIENCE

LIBRARY TEACHER

Developed and implemented educational library program at the David Moore Heights Housing Authority Children’s Public Library. Middletown, NY 1992-1997.

DISCIPLINE COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Facilitator of 9-week course on fostering positive relationships between adults and children entitled Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). Attended by parents, educators, pediatricians, social workers, psychologists and others who deal with children. 1983 to the present. Workshops are offered at the following locations:

	Early Learning Center, Goshen, New York, 1999-present.
	Gan Miriam at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Bronx, NY, 2007.
	Rockland JCC-Y, West Nyack, New York, 1997-2005.
	Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, Ridgewood, New Jersey, 2003-present.

Presenter at brief workshops (from one hour to two days in length) for schools, parent-teacher organizations, parent-toddler groups, and meetings of parents of children with special needs such as adopted or gifted children or students with learning disabilities.

	Speaker at the Tri-State Adoption Conference (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), Montclair State University, November, 2007
	Presentation at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, New Jersey, February 7,2008

This website is dedicated with love to Joel, Yoni, Jessica, Ami and Ronit, and all of the members of the Fettman, Gross and Schwab families who have served as guinea pigs, "tech supporters" and mentors.