Behavior Correction Strategies for Teachers: The #1 Mistake (and How to Fix It)

Young black child lying on the floor at school

Ms. Lin stood at the front of her classroom, arms crossed, voice tight, eyes locked on Jamal. He had just blurted out again during a lesson. Without missing a beat, she raised her voice. “That’s it! If you can’t follow directions, you’ll be staying in for recess. I’m done asking!” Jamal slumped in his seat, … Read more

When Staff Escalate the Escalation: Recognizing and Addressing Staff-Triggered Behavioral Crises

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Two Facilities, Two Different Outcomes At first glance, the two facilities had a lot in common. They both served individuals with behavioral challenges. They both had well-intentioned staff who wanted to make a difference. Both had training programs designed to prepare teams to manage crises. But when escalation occurred, the outcomes were very different. In … Read more

5 Errors that Inadvertently Cause More Dangerous Behaviors in Schools: And What to Do About It

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As a behavior analyst and former school administrator focused on school improvement, I’ve spent over two decades helping teachers, schools, and districts reduce behavioral crises, including persistent aggression and self-injurious behavior. In many cases, dangerous behavior in schools can be traced back to a small number of common mistakes—mistakes that are often easy to fix … Read more

Before You Walk Away: What Every Struggling Teacher Deserves to Know

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A Tale of Two Classrooms: Why Classroom Management is the Skill That Changes Everything It’s the end of the school year, and some of you are wondering if you’ll come back. Not because you don’t care. Not because you don’t love your students. But because this year felt like survival. Maybe your classroom felt out … Read more

What Every Decision-maker Should Know about a Complete Behavior Management System

A conference room with smiling people sitting around a table.

If your school’s behavior management system is working, why are you still spending so much time responding to problem behavior? Many schools are dealing with increasingly complex challenges, including aggression and self-injurious behavior. In response, they often turn to crisis intervention training. But what they receive is often incomplete. Most school behavior management programs focus … Read more

Dignity and Safety: The Case for Prevention-First Crisis Management

organizational staff preparing for behavioral situations

The use of restraints in human services is one of the most complex challenges organizations face. While sometimes necessary to ensure safety, overreliance on restraints often reflects deeper systemic issues. In school settings, this often shows up as increased classroom disruption, staff burnout, and inconsistent responses to student behavior—highlighting the need for effective crisis management … Read more

The Hidden Dangers of “Hands-Off” Policies and Bans on Prone Restraints in Crisis Management

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In education and specialized care settings, the use of physical restraint is a topic filled with complexity and strong emotion. Understandably, many educators and advocates are uncomfortable with the idea of restraining students. As a result, a hands-off policy in schools has gained traction as a way to eliminate the risks associated with physical intervention. … Read more

Positive Reinforcement in the Classroom: What It Really Is and 7 Tips for Making It Work

smiling student in classroom

Positive reinforcement in the classroom is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—tools available to educators. Many people confuse positive reinforcement with rewards. While they can be related, they are not the same. Understanding the difference is key to using this strategy effectively. At its core, positive reinforcement is based on a simple idea: behaviors … Read more

When De-Escalation Breaks Down: What 303 Crisis Professionals Revealed

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De-escalation is often treated as a communication skill. In reality, it is a safety skill. When it works, situations stabilize quickly, relationships remain intact, and the need for restrictive or intrusive interventions is reduced. When it breaks down, escalation accelerates, options narrow, and risk increases for everyone involved. The difference between those outcomes rarely comes … Read more

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