Bermuda should provide mutli-purpose areas and programmes to prevent youths from getting into trouble.

Former Sandys teacher Mr. Charles Joynes suggested this yesterday before returning to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he has been named teacher of the year.

But the advocate of a Tennessee pilot programme for children "at risk'', said young people must first realise they hold the key to their own success.

And he urged them to be positive role models to their peers.

Mr. Joynes, who taught Family Life and physical education at Sandys from 1986 to 1991, was well known and respected locally for his practical approach to teaching and his involvement in extra curricular activities.

And he told The Royal Gazette he has taken the same teaching approach to Calvin Donaldson Elementary School in Tennessee.

There, Mr. Joynes said, he works with children who "are on a survival mode'' and come from a far less affluent background than most Bermudian children.

But he said he has seen the city's recently implemented Alternative Classroom programme for children at risk turn students coming from dysfunctional backgrounds into achievers.

Part of the success of the programme Mr. Joynes said is the rule he sets out with each student, their parent or parents, and teachers at the start.

"I set a policy that before the child comes into my classroom, I meet with the parent, former teacher, and current teacher to let them know what I expect.'' The parent is provided with a behavioural report on his or her child everyday, he said. And attached to the report is a home-work sheet.

If home-work is not assigned -- which is rare, Mr. Joynes said, he attaches a note to the behavioural report.

By the end of the first term, the 10 children he was dealing with showed signs of improvement, he added.

Alternative Classroom not only benefits children at risk, but it also gives teachers time to teach children left in the regular classroom setting without distractions, Mr. Joynes said, adding that such a programme would be beneficial to Bermuda.

The St. George's graduate, who was guest speaker at Sandys graduation last week, also stressed that a positive attitude leads to positives results.

"We have all heard the more you put in, the more you get out,'' Mr. Joynes told the graduates. "No one can make you do anything without your consent -- be it positive or negative.

"When you are faced with challenging times -- be positive.

"Just because you are around or see negative things does not mean that you have to be a part of the negative group.'' And Mr. Joynes reminded the students that education is a life-long process and should not stop with graduation. "You are the future leaders of Bermuda,'' he said, "and even today several young people look up to you. Make sure that you set fine examples and lead people in the right direction and be the best at something positive. Believe that you can and the mind will make a way for you to do it.'' Mr. Joynes said while he did not have the right to tell students who to pick as friends, he suggested that they spend time with "at least a few people who want to succeed''.

"No one plans to fail,'' he said, "they only fail to plan. So don't make excuses, make a plan.'' While urging the graduates to be proud of their accomplishments, Mr. Joynes warned them "never be satisfied with what you know.

"Always thirst for more knowledge and keep an open mind, because as I read somewhere -- the mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open.'' Borrowing lyrics from Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror'', Mr. Joynes said: "If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change''.

He also encouraged parents, teachers, and adults in general to build up youngsters' self esteem.

"We know the world can be cruel to adults,'' he said, "but it is even worse for children who sometimes just can't cope. It takes only a few negative comments to tear down self esteem, but several more to build it up.'' POSITIVE ROLE MODEL -- Bermudian and former Sandys Secondary teacher Mr.

Charles Joynes, returned to Tennessee this week, but not before spreading his positive message to Sandys graduates and other youngsters.