RESPONSIBILITY-CENTERED DISCIPLINE™
CERTIFIED TRAINERS
Larry Thompson, M.Ed.
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.
Joseph Cope, M.Ed.
Joseph is a dynamic presenter who cares deeply about being mindful and fostering growth in every aspect of his professional life. His experience as a classroom teacher and instructional coach comes primarily from Title 1 schools located in historically under-served communities in both California and Texas. Deeply reflective of personal choices and highly cognizant of interpersonal dynamics, he has proven to be a skilled relationship builder, team collaborator and coach.
As a Master Certified Trainer for Responsibility-Centered Discipline™ (RCD™), Joseph aspires to see other educators gain the support and de-escalation skills he has embraced since he originally was exposed to the program in the Lubbock Independent School District. As a classroom teacher and a leader of teachers, he has seen RCD have a transformative impact on student behavior, teacher morale and school culture.
Angela Thompson, M.Ed.
Angela Thompson, M.Ed., is an RCD Certified Master Trainer. She is also co-author of Give ‘em Five: A Five-Step Approach to Handling Challenging Moments with Students (K-6 and 6-12). She has nearly 20 years of experience in elementary education as a classroom teacher.
Although Angela enjoys the opportunity to travel throughout North America to train fellow educators, she misses the excitement of being in the classroom. Angela brings her knowledge and passion for working with young children to “Responsibility-Centered Discipline”, or RCD.
Angela has experienced firsthand how Give ‘em Five conversations, and the “Response-Ability” Process can transform classrooms and help even the toughest young students.
Brian Dinkins, Ed.D.
Brian Dinkins is an RCD Certified Master Trainer and is CEO of the Center for Empowering Education, an organization that helps equip K-12 administrators, teachers and students with the tools and skills to create a positive school culture that improves social, emotional and academic outcomes. Raised by a single mother in the inner city of Indianapolis, he didn’t perform well academically in high school. 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. 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 is the creator of Emotionally Intelligent Practices and an associate professor and Director of Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) at Butler University.
Keenan Tolbert, M.Ed.
Keenan Tolbert, M.Ed., began his career as a classroom teacher and coach in New York State — and has worked at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Following a district-wide facilities merger, the need for a more consistent and effective approach to student discipline and management was recognized. Keenan accepted the role of Dean of Students at the combined middle school, and was charged with reforming school discipline. Following the core principles of Responsibility- Centered Discipline, he facilitated a major shift in the school’s approach – an approach that has transformed how students, teachers and administrators view school discipline.
Under Keenan’s leadership, together with Principal Rick Kimble, his school has become an RCD National Model School. They have experienced a significant decline in student behavioral incidents and office referrals, and the joy of watching students take responsibility for their own behaviors and personal growth. Keenan now not only works daily at supporting and training his colleagues, but also helps schools throughout North America succeed with the RCD process.
Aaron Margolis, M.M.
Aaron Margolis, M.M., is an RCD Certified Master Trainer for Responsibility-Centered Discipline. Aaron successfully implemented the supportive, non-exclusionary principles of Responsibility-Centered Discipline with his middle school students at Rohr Middle School in North Miami Beach, FL.
As a passionate educator, with years of experience in building successful programs within diverse institutions, Aaron is a leader in using student-centered approaches to improve outcomes for students and schools. Along with his other responsibilities, Aaron is the founder and CEO of ArtsEdBuddy. Aaron is a classically trained lyric baritone, with backgrounds in applied music, theatre and dance.
Phil Howell, M.Ed.
Phil Howell, M.Ed., is an RCD Certified Master Trainer for Responsibility-Centered Discipline who has dedicated his career to teaching and guiding students with learning disabilities and self-regulation difficulties. He has been an elementary and middle school teacher, has published curriculum in reading and mathematics, and has served as a school administrator for elementary and middle school grades. An energetic and engaging presenter, he is regularly requested as a speaker and teacher trainer in schools and universities.
As Dean of The de Paul School, an independent school that serves students with learning differences, Phil leads his staff in utilizing RCD practices with students who have a history of academic struggle and negative school experiences. He has found RCD to be highly effective in empowering students to grow past disruptive behaviors that are common among students with ADHD, learning disabilities, social difficulties, emotional dysregulation issues, and negative attitudes toward school.
Ready to Transform Your School?
Empower your educators and develop students' skills for success with Responsibility-Centered Discipline.
