Addressing Challenging Behaviors: Prevention, Intervention, and Support

Courses in this Pathway

1. 1

   Academic and Behavioral Interventions for All Students

   4.96

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   Students enter the classroom with diverse academic strengths, learning needs, and behavioral challenges that can impact their success. Looking for practical strategies to support struggling learners while creating a more productive learning environment? In this course, Melissa Mann shares a toolbox of evidence-based academic and behavioral intervention strategies that help educators identify student needs and provide targeted support. Participants will explore interventions designed to address both learning and behavior concerns while maintaining high expectations and promoting student growth.

   Throughout this course, educators will examine practical intervention tools and frameworks that can be implemented across grade levels and learning environments. Participants will learn how to select appropriate interventions based on specific academic skills or behavioral concerns and develop a plan for successful classroom implementation.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, instructional coaches, school counselors, and school leaders seeking practical strategies to support struggling students. Participants will gain a collection of research-based intervention tools and a decision-making framework that helps match student needs with appropriate supports to improve academic performance, behavior, and overall student success.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Discover evidence-based intervention strategies that support both academic achievement and positive student behavior.
   2. Strengthen your ability to identify student needs and select targeted interventions that promote growth.
   3. Explore practical tools that can be implemented immediately to support struggling learners.
   4. Build confidence in creating intervention plans that address specific academic and behavioral challenges.

   Presented by Melissa Mann

   Melissa Mann serves as a dedicated special education educator within the Madison County School System. Her teaching experience spans across a wide range of student settings, from self-contained classrooms to collaborative environments, covering grades kindergarten through sixth. Melissa's qualifications include dual certifications in both elementary education and special education, and she holds a master's degree in school counseling, further enhancing her skill set as a certified school counselor. Melissa’s impact also extends beyond the classroom where she shares her expertise at numerous in-person and virtual conferences, including the Alabama Educational Technology Conference.

   Instructor: Melissa Mann60 minutes
2. 2

   Challenging Students Can Be Champions! (Part 1)

   4.97

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   Every behavior communicates a need, and understanding the root cause of challenging behaviors is often the first step toward creating positive change. Looking for practical strategies to support students who disrupt learning while maintaining a positive and productive classroom environment? In this course, Reba Gordon-Matthews explores the connection between students' social and emotional needs and their behavior, helping educators better understand why challenging behaviors occur and how to respond effectively. Participants will examine approaches that promote positive behavior while supporting student growth, self-awareness, and success.

   Throughout this course, educators will discover practical strategies for working with students who struggle with behavior, building stronger relationships, and creating classroom environments that encourage positive choices and engagement. Participants will explore techniques that help address behavioral concerns proactively while fostering a culture of support, accountability, and encouragement.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, school counselors, instructional coaches, and school leaders seeking practical solutions for addressing challenging student behaviors. Participants will gain tools and strategies for supporting students' social and emotional development, encouraging positive behavior, and helping students overcome barriers to success both inside and outside the classroom.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Gain a deeper understanding of how social and emotional needs influence student behavior.
   2. Discover practical strategies for supporting students who demonstrate challenging or disruptive behaviors.
   3. Strengthen relationship-building practices that encourage positive behavior and student growth.
   4. Explore proactive approaches that help create a more supportive and productive learning environment.

   Presented by Reba Gordon Matthews

   Reba Gordon Matthews is an educational consultant with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, as well as a freelance coach and instructional designer. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she holds master's degrees in instructional design and educational technology. Reba is passionate about helping educators create meaningful learning experiences that support student success. She is also the co-founder and executive director of The Jamal Gordon Hill Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides academic tutoring, technology training, and college scholarships to at-risk youth.

   Instructor: Reba Gordon Matthews30 minutes
3. 3

   Challenging Students Can Be Champions! (Part 2)

   4.99

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   Supporting students with challenging behaviors requires more than corrective consequences. It requires understanding, consistency, and strategies that help students develop the skills they need to succeed. Looking for practical ways to encourage positive behavior while maintaining a productive learning environment? In this course, Reba Gordon-Matthews explores additional strategies for helping students overcome behavioral challenges and develop the social and emotional skills needed for success. Participants will examine approaches that promote accountability, build confidence, and encourage positive decision-making.

   Throughout this course, educators will discover practical techniques for responding to disruptive behaviors, fostering positive student relationships, and creating classroom environments that support growth and responsibility. Participants will explore tools and strategies that help redirect challenging behaviors, reinforce positive choices, and increase student engagement while maintaining high expectations.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, school counselors, instructional coaches, and school leaders seeking additional strategies for supporting students with challenging behaviors. Participants will gain practical behavior management tools and student support techniques that help create positive classroom environments and encourage students to become more successful, engaged learners.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Discover practical strategies for redirecting challenging behaviors and promoting positive student choices.
   2. Strengthen your ability to support students' social and emotional growth while maintaining classroom expectations.
   3. Explore techniques that encourage responsibility, resilience, and positive behavior.
   4. Build a collection of behavior support tools that help create a more productive and supportive learning environment.

   Presented by Reba Gordon Matthews

   Reba Gordon Matthews is an educational consultant with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, as well as a freelance coach and instructional designer. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she holds master's degrees in instructional design and educational technology. Reba is passionate about helping educators create meaningful learning experiences that support student success. She is also the co-founder and executive director of The Jamal Gordon Hill Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides academic tutoring, technology training, and college scholarships to at-risk youth.

   Instructor: Reba Gordon Matthews30 minutes
4. 4

   Tips for Collecting Behavior Data in the Classroom

   4.93

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   Behavior data is most powerful when it is used to guide decisions, improve outcomes, and support student success. Looking for practical ways to collect meaningful behavior data that leads to real change rather than simply satisfying documentation requirements? In this course, Ryan Jeffery explores effective methods for gathering, recording, and analyzing behavior data to better understand student needs and identify appropriate interventions. Participants will learn how data-driven decision-making can improve behavior support practices while increasing student achievement and engagement.

   Throughout this course, educators will explore practical tools and strategies for collecting accurate behavior data, identifying patterns, and using objective evidence to inform intervention decisions. Participants will also examine how behavior data can help reduce implicit bias, promote equitable treatment of students, and support more consistent and effective responses to challenging behaviors.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, school counselors, behavior specialists, MTSS teams, and school leaders seeking to strengthen their use of behavior data to support student growth. Participants will gain practical data collection methods, analysis techniques, and decision-making tools that help transform behavior data into actionable strategies for improving classroom outcomes.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Discover practical methods for collecting and organizing meaningful behavior data in the classroom.
   2. Strengthen your ability to identify behavior patterns and use evidence to guide intervention decisions.
   3. Explore strategies for using objective data to support equity and reduce the influence of implicit bias.
   4. Build confidence in using behavior data to improve student outcomes and strengthen behavior support practices.

   Presented by Ryan Jeffery

   Ryan Jeffery is a certified PreK–12 administrator and behavior intervention specialist with extensive experience supporting educators and students in public education. He is recognized for his practical, research-based approaches to understanding challenging behaviors and building positive school cultures. Ryan helps educators respond to student behavior with calm, confident, and consistent strategies that promote engagement, accountability, and success. He is passionate about equipping teachers and school leaders with tools that foster strong relationships and meaningful student growth.

   Instructor: Ryan Jeffery30 minutes
5. 5

   Help! I Have to Write a Functional Behavioral Assessment and a Behavior Intervention Plan

   4.92

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   Writing a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) or Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) can feel overwhelming, especially when addressing significant behavioral concerns or meeting compliance requirements. Looking for a clear, step-by-step approach to developing effective behavior support plans? In this course, Ryan Jeffery shares practical guidance for determining when an FBA, BIP, or behavior goal is appropriate and explains how to identify the root causes of challenging behaviors. Participants will explore the principles of applied behavior analysis and learn how effective behavior planning can support positive student outcomes while reducing disruptive behaviors.

   Throughout this course, educators will examine the process of collecting and analyzing behavior data, identifying the primary behavior of concern, and developing targeted interventions that address the function of student behavior. Participants will gain practical tools and decision-making frameworks that support the development, implementation, monitoring, and adjustment of behavior support plans designed to meet individual student needs.

   This course is ideal for special educators, classroom teachers, school counselors, behavior specialists, administrators, interventionists, MTSS teams, and anyone responsible for developing or implementing behavior support plans. Participants will gain confidence in creating meaningful, data-informed behavior interventions that promote student success, support compliance requirements, and lead to more positive learning environments.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Gain a clearer understanding of when an FBA, BIP, or behavior goal is the most appropriate course of action.
   2. Discover practical strategies for identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviors.
   3. Strengthen your ability to develop targeted behavior interventions based on data and student needs.
   4. Build confidence in monitoring and adjusting behavior plans to support long-term student success.

   Presented by Ryan Jeffery

   Ryan Jeffery is a certified PreK–12 administrator and behavior intervention specialist with extensive experience supporting educators and students in public education. He is recognized for his practical, research-based approaches to understanding challenging behaviors and building positive school cultures. Ryan helps educators respond to student behavior with calm, confident, and consistent strategies that promote engagement, accountability, and success. He is passionate about equipping teachers and school leaders with tools that foster strong relationships and meaningful student growth.

   Instructor: Ryan Jeffery30 minutes
6. 6

   Strategies for Managing Physical Aggression in the Classroom

   4.91

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   Responding to physically aggressive behavior can be one of the most challenging situations educators face. Looking for practical strategies to recognize warning signs, prevent escalation, and maintain a safe learning environment? In this course, Ryan Jeffery explores the underlying causes of physical aggression and introduces the C.O.D.E. framework for understanding the seven levels of student aggression. Participants will learn how to identify patterns of unsafe behavior and respond proactively before situations escalate into a crisis.

   Throughout this course, educators will examine practical strategies for managing physical aggression, maintaining classroom safety, and supporting students exhibiting challenging behaviors. Participants will explore intervention techniques designed to address different levels of aggression, understand the function of student behavior, and develop response plans that promote safety, consistency, and positive outcomes for all learners.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, interventionists, school counselors, behavior specialists, administrators, and student support personnel seeking effective strategies for responding to aggressive behavior. Participants will gain practical tools for preventing escalation, improving behavior responses, and creating safer learning environments while supporting the needs of students displaying challenging behaviors.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to physical aggression and unsafe student behaviors.
   2. Discover practical strategies for addressing aggression before it escalates into a crisis.
   3. Strengthen your ability to recognize behavior patterns and respond with confidence and consistency.
   4. Build a safety-focused response framework that supports both student well-being and classroom stability.

   Presented by Ryan Jeffery

   Ryan Jeffery is a certified PreK–12 administrator and behavior intervention specialist with extensive experience supporting educators and students in public education. He is recognized for his practical, research-based approaches to understanding challenging behaviors and building positive school cultures. Ryan helps educators respond to student behavior with calm, confident, and consistent strategies that promote engagement, accountability, and success. He is passionate about equipping teachers and school leaders with tools that foster strong relationships and meaningful student growth.

   Instructor: Ryan Jeffery30 minutes
7. 7

   Crisis Management: Working One-on-One with Students Virtually and In Person

   4.95

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   Student crises can emerge unexpectedly and require educators to respond with confidence, compassion, and appropriate support. Looking for practical strategies to help students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or psychological distress? In this course, licensed therapist Támara Hill shares a step-by-step approach for identifying, managing, and de-escalating student crises in both virtual and in-person learning environments. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, understand common triggers, and implement proactive supports that help minimize the impact of crisis situations on student well-being and learning.

   Throughout this course, educators will explore evidence-based crisis response strategies, individualized planning tools, and collaborative approaches that strengthen support systems for students in need. Participants will discover how to work effectively with families, school personnel, and community resources while developing practical response protocols that prioritize student safety and emotional well-being.

   This course is ideal for classroom teachers, special educators, school counselors, interventionists, school psychologists, administrators, social workers, and student support personnel seeking to strengthen their crisis response skills. Participants will gain practical tools, planning templates, and intervention strategies that help them recognize concerns early, respond appropriately during crises, and support students through recovery and continued success.

   Key Takeaways

   1. Gain a deeper understanding of the warning signs and triggers associated with student emotional, behavioral, and psychological crises.
   2. Discover practical strategies for responding to crisis situations in both virtual and face-to-face learning environments.
   3. Strengthen collaboration practices with families, colleagues, and community resources to support student well-being.
   4. Build proactive planning systems that help reduce the likelihood and impact of future crisis situations.

   Presented by Támara Hill

   Támara Hill, MS, NCC, CCTP, LPC, is a licensed therapist and certified trauma professional that specializes in working with children and adolescents suffering from mood disorders, trauma, and disruptive behavioral disorders. Támara strives to help clients realize and actualize their strengths in their home environment and in their relationships within the community. She credits her career passion to a "divine calling" and is internationally recognized for corresponding literary works and appearances on radio and other media platforms. Támara is an author, family consultant, advocate within the community, and founder of AnchoredinKnowledge.com.

   Instructor: Támara Hill30 minutes