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Virtual/In-Person PD
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These interactive one-day professional development sessions can be adapted for your staff’s needs, and can be delivered either virtually or in-person.
Addressing Learning Loss
Build a supportive disciplinary system that teaches students to take responsibility while promoting resiliency and a positive school climate.
How trauma, including stress, impacts the developing brain and how this may translate into difficult behaviors at school and home.
How to work with students challenged with anxiety, trauma, Asperger’s, ODD, early-onset bipolar, and more.
Research-based strategies to teach impulse-control & self-management skills to students to increase academic performance.
Equity, Disproportionality & Cultural Competency
Build a supportive disciplinary system that teaches students to take responsibility while promoting resiliency and a positive school climate.
Explore how implicit bias may have an impact on how educators treat students from poverty, minority students, students with disabilities, and others.
This insightful training will provide attendees with a better understanding of why we are dealing with so many students who are at-risk – exploring the root causes as well as additional trauma faced during the COVID-19 quarantine.
Social-Emotional Learning
Research-based strategies to help educators reduce behavior incidents and improve academic outcomes for boys.
How educators can parents can use brain research best best practices to promote positive relationships and prevent bullying and relational aggression.
Build a supportive disciplinary system that teaches students to take responsibility while promoting resiliency and a positive school climate.
Research-based strategies to teach impulse-control & self-management skills to students to increase academic performance.
This training explores a path forward for building resilience in students while instilling the classroom/campus culture, systems and leadership necessary to provide a safety net for student success.
Learn to help students develop critical social and emotional skills, which enables them to success in school and in life.
How to work with students challenged with anxiety, trauma, Asperger’s, ODD, early-onset bipolar, and more.
Student Mental Health
How to work with students challenged with anxiety, trauma, Asperger’s, ODD, early-onset bipolar, and more.
Understand anxiety disorders and what indicators teachers should look for; learn accommodations than can help alleviate stress.
How trauma, including stress, impacts the developing brain and how this may translate into difficult behaviors at school and home.
Identify, reach, teach and/or refer students with serious mental health concerns, including self-injury, suicidal thoughts and severe trauma.
ENGAGING THE TRAUMATIZED STUDENT
How trauma, including stress, impacts the developing brain and how this may translate into difficult behaviors at school and home.
Build a supportive disciplinary system that teaches students to take responsibility while promoting resiliency and a positive school climate.
Examine the three primary trauma response states and shares numerous skills and strategies educators can use with students deepening on their specific trauma responses.
Supportive Discipline
Build a supportive disciplinary system that teaches students to take responsibility while promoting resiliency and a positive school climate.
How to work with students challenged with anxiety, trauma, Asperger’s, ODD, early-onset bipolar, and more.
How to successfully work with students with Behavior Disorders – Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder. .
Research-based strategies to teach impulse-control & self-management skills to students to increase academic performance.
Learn up-to-date insights and strategies for reaching even the most difficult students and helping you become a master of challenging moments with students.
How educators can parents can use brain research best best practices to promote positive relationships and prevent bullying and relational aggression.
Explore how implicit bias may have an impact on how educators treat students from poverty, minority students, students with disabilities, and others.
Research-based strategies to teach impulse-control & self-management skills to students to increase academic performance.
EXPERT PRESENTERS
Steph Jensen, MS, LPC
International Speaker, Award-Winning Author & Consultant
Topics
Lost Boys: Strategies to Help Educators Navigate the World of Boys for Academic Success
Building Bridges between the Tiers: Integrating Social-Emotional Learning & Academics
Girl Drama: Best Practices to Help Educators Reduce Relational Aggression
Steph Jensen, MS, LPC is an award-winning author and international speaker recognized for her insight and understanding of relational aggression. She combines 15 years of practice in the fields of education and counseling with research, practical strategies and humor to address challenging behaviors and build positive relationships with kids. She has held positions as classroom teacher, education consultant and international speaker. She holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling, focusing her efforts on adolescent and family issues. In recent years, Stephanie has applied her passion for adolescents to focus on the dynamics of relational aggression, social-emotional learning, and positive behavior interventions. She is the author of Thrive in the Hive: Surviving the Girl’s World of Good and Bad Relationship Bee-haviors, Mom’s Choice Award-winning Princess Priscilla and the Bully-Bee Day, Princess Priscilla and the Mood Ring Rainbow and her latest Princess Priscilla and the Great Beezilla!
Larry Thompson, M.Ed.
Supportive Discipline Innovator, Creator of Responsibility-Centered Discipline.
Topics
Defiant, Manipulative & Attention-Seeking Students: How to Unlock Their Potential and Survive the Process
Supportive, Non-Exclusionary Discipline: Evidence-Based Alternatives to the Referral/Suspension Quagmire
Author of Roadmap to Responsibility and Give ‘em Five, Larry Thompson, M.Ed., is often called upon to deliver keynote presentations for state and national education conferences because of his knowledge, humor and passion for assisting today’s students. He has helped thousands of educators and schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Larry has served in a wide variety of roles in education – from special education teacher to alternative and traditional high school principal. As creator of the Responsibility-Centered Discipline program, Larry understands that systems must be created that can be realistically implemented and sustained.
Dr. William Noel
District Director of Student Support, National Speaker & Consultant
Topics
Color Brave: Implicit Bias, Equity & Cultural Competence in Schools
Reaching the (Sometimes) Hard-to-Reach
“The two most important days of your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out WHY.” This quote from Mark Twain perfectly captures Dr. William Noel’s personal calling and dedication to working with children. That higher calling and dedication is why Dr. Noel remains committed to being an influential role model for all students, but especially for the (sometimes) Hard-to-Reach students. Dr. Noel emphasizes the importance of connecting with those students through establishing genuine relationships, and teaching them to make better decisions. He would be the first person to debate that knowing WHO you teach may be more important than WHAT you teach. Dr. Noel began his journey in education as a substitute teacher, then as an alternative education teacher, social studies teacher, coach, assistant principal, and now district director of student support and disciplinary review. When asked by a colleague if he was going to miss teaching, Dr. Noel replied, “I will always be a teacher; just no longer from a classroom.”
Dr. Tommie Mabry
Ph.D. Who Was Expelled from 10 Schools, Author of A Dark Journey to a Light Future
Topic
At-Risk & Hard-to-Reach Students: Understand Them to Teach Them
Tommie Mabry grew up in poverty in Jackson, Mississippi. With no one to serve as a model for mainstream success, Tommie turned to life in the streets. He was expelled from numerous schools and by age 11, he was serving time for burglary. Things started to change for Tommie when he joined an AAU basketball team that traveled around world. Although he was shot in the foot during his senior year, he received a full basketball scholarship to Missouri State University. After completing his undergraduate studies at Tougaloo College, he taught school in the same district where he had been expelled numerous times. Subsequently he has served as Director of Enrollment at Tougaloo College before founding the company that bears his name. He earned his Ph.D. from Jackson State University and has published two books, A Dark Journey to a Light Future and If Tommie Can Do It, We Can Do It.
Mike Paget, M.Ed.
International Speaker, Consultant, Author of Defying the Defiance
Topics
Positive Behavioral Supports for Students Who Are Wired Differently
Supporting Students with Anxiety Issues
Disruptive Behavior Disorders: ODD, CD & Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Mike Paget currently works as a consultant to schools throughout North America to help them better teach challenging students. As a state consultant for students with severe emotional and behavioral problems, he worked with ODD, CD and other special needs students for more than 25 years. Mike is an innovator of effective approaches for working with extremely challenging students and has conducted seminars across the U.S. and Canada on creative techniques for managing classroom behavior, student aggression and crisis intervention. He is co-author of Aggressive and Violent Students and Defying the Defiance. His newest book is High on the Spectrum: Asperger’s, High-Functioning Autism & Related Personalities.
Brad Chapin, LCP, LMLP
Popular Author, Leading Authority on Self-Regulation
Topic
Helping Students Learn Self-Regulation: Evidence-Based Strategies to Teach Self-Management and Impulse Control
Brad is a masters level psychologist and a recognized speaker in the area of Self-Regulation. He is also the Director for Children’s Services at a regional mental health center. Brad has a passion for teaching parents and school professionals the importance of helping children develop healthy Self-Regulation skills. He continues to create innovative strategies utilizing technology to engage children in the process. Brad believes that Self-Regulation provides an easy-to-learn and easy-to-implement framework for addressing many of the problem areas children and families experience including ADHD, anger/behavior problems, academic issues, social/emotional problems, Autism Spectrum Disorders and anxiety/depression. Brad is the author of Helping Young People Learn About Self-Regulation and the creator of the Challenge Software (www.cpschallenge.com) program for children as well as the Self-Regulation Training Board. His latest book, Helping Pre-Schoolers Learn Self-Regulation, was released to critical acclaim in 2016.
Tracie Berry-McGhee,M.Ed., LPC, NCC
International Speaker, Author, Creator of SistaKeeper
Topics
Girl Drama: Best Practices to Help Educators Reduce Relational Aggression
I Define Me!
Tracie Berry-McGhee founded the SistaKeeper Empowerment Center in St. Louis 12 years ago with the mission of inspiring and developing the mind, body and spirit of young women. SistaKeeper has since spread to other locations within the United States and several other countries. Tracie also continues to serve the community via her private counseling practice, which specializes in women and teen girl issues. She is often called upon to speak on topics such as conflict resolution, delaying with low self-esteem and bullying. Tracie is the author of SistaKeeper Poetry for the Soul, I’m a Keeper and OWN your NOW.
Aaron Wiemeier, MS, LPC
Author, Counselor, Trauma Specialist, Founder of High Mountain Training Institute
Topics
Engaging the Traumatized Student
The Mental Health Crisis in Education
Aaron J. Wiemeier is a licensed professional counselor with 20 years of experience in the mental health field and is a nationally recognized author, trainer and educator. He is an expert in the neurophysiology of trauma, attachment & adoption and has worked successfully with the most difficult of clients and with the most chaotic and conflictual systems. His pioneering work and program development has led to highly successful outcomes that increase permanency in least restrictive settings and ultimately reduce fiscal spending particularly in the mental health, educational and legal systems. In 2011, Aaron published a workbook titled, My Feelings Workbook, which teaches affect regulation, awareness and skill development on a nonverbal body level to children. The book was subsequently endorsed by well-established professionals in the trauma, attachment and Autism community. Aaron is also the Dean of Students at Littleton Preparatory Charter School in Littleton, CO, where he is pioneering the development of curriculum and programming that integrates education with the ever increasing mental health needs that plague public schools in the United States. Most recently, he co-authored School-Based Interventions for the Traumatized Student, a culmination of a life’s work centered around creative ways to reach, work with and inspire hope in children who have experienced trauma.
Kim Johancen, MA, LPC
Specialist in Suicide/Self-Injury & Author of Traumatized Students: School-Based Interventions
Topic
Critical Mental Health Challenges including Self-Injury and Suicide
ACEs-Informed Schools
Engaging the Traumatized Student
Kim Johancen, M.A., LPC is a Denver-based author and therapist who has developed specialties that include working with people at risk of suicide, survivors of suicide loss, and individuals struggling with self-injury. She has worked extensively with both adolescent and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her ability to work with people who have experienced grief and loss extends throughout her career and she remains committed to helping people resolve their post trauma symptoms along with the events that fuel them. Over the last several years she has developed a passion for working with families through divorce. She utilizes a variety of approaches including Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Kim is at heart a strengths-based therapist. She has presented her work on self-injury at Harvard University and her work with suicidal patients at Stony Brook University in New York. She recently co-authored a book for educators entitled Traumatized Students: School-Based Interventions for Reaching Under the Surface.
Hotep Benzo
Education Success Strategist & Creator of MAKE A WAY Program
Topics
Overcoming the Poverty Mindset
Strategies for Culturally Relevant & Responsive Instruction
Teaching Optimism
Turning Pain into Power
Education success strategist and award-winning author Hotep Benzo, MBA is widely known for his proactive, “tough-love” approach to education. As a 15-year master teacher, he developed a reputation for requesting the most troubled students and transforming them into willing participants in their own education. He is the founder of Hustle University and creator of the MAKE A WAY program, a series of high-relevancy curricula used in more than 1000 schools throughout the United States. His work has earned him nominations for the Presidential Citizens Medal and as a CNN Hero. Hotep is also creator of the Outcome Progression Model, which he uses to help schools transform a culture of poverty, excuse-making and helplessness into one of empowerment, resiliency and success.
Dr. Tom Maglisceau
National Speaker, Expert on Social Capital, Superintendent of Dallas-area District
Topics
Distraction, Disruption, Motivation & Grit: Our Brains on Adolescence
Tom Maglisceau is the proud Superintendent of the Celina Independent School District in the Dallas Metroplex. He served previously as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent in the Highland Park, Dallas and Rockwall districts in Texas. He earned his doctorate in Public Policy and Public Affairs after completing his research on social capital as it relates to family structure and childhood outcomes. Dr. Maglisceau continues his research in the areas of neuroplasticity of the adolescent brain, adverse childhood experiences and adolescence in the age of abundance for presentations in schools and conferences throughout Texas and across the nation. In addition to his work in public education, he serves as a Key Implementer and national professional developer for AVID. Dr. Maglisceau co-founded Together Texas, an organization dedicated to championing the “Better Together Mindset” in schools and communities.
Dr. Eli Shapiro
Creator of Digital Citizenship Project, School Social Worker, Director of Educational Initiatives.
Topics
TechSmart: Teaching Digital Citizenship
Social Media: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Dr. Eli Shapiro, Ed.D, LCSW is the creator and director of The Digital Citizenship Project, an Adjunct Professor for the City University of New York and a Trustee of the Queens Borough Public Library. He holds two licenses in school administration and has presented to thousands of parents and school faculty in communities across North America on digital citizenship and the opportunities and pitfalls of social media. Dr. Shapiro is an expert on the social and emotional functioning of families and leads a national study on Jewish families and technology.
Brian Dinkins, Ed.D.
Speaker, Emotionally Inclusive Practices Expert, Certified RCD Master Trainer
Topics
Emotionally Inclusive Practices
Leadership
Responsibility-Centered Discipline
Brian Dinkins, Ed.D., is an RCD Certified Master Trainer and president of the National Institute for Child Empowerment, an organization that provides parents and students in disenfranchised communities with training, mentoring and advocacy to increase access to college and careers.
Raised by a single mother in the inner city of Indianapolis, he didn’t perform well academically in high school. However, with the support of teachers, coaches and mentors, he earned a B.A. from Purdue, where he played football for the Big Ten Champion Boilermakers. He has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Ball State University. Brian has served as a teacher, coach and principal in urban settings at a traditional public school, two charter schools and at a faith-based school. He currently teaches aducational leadership on an adjunct basis at Marian University.
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