Tackling Challenging Behaviors in Middle and High School
(Grades 6-12) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 160T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42587
Course Description
Are you at your wits’ end because you have run out of ideas on how to address the explosion of challenging behaviors that are becoming more common in today’s classrooms? Today’s students are experiencing stress, anxiety, and other mental health problems more than ever before, and with these stressors come a wide variety of challenging behaviors in the classroom. This online course for teachers is designed specifically for educators in grades 6-12 who are searching for evidence-based strategies to address the problems experienced within today’s educational landscape. The course begins by dissecting the stressors that are commonly encountered by students and teachers including such things as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, declining mental health, and an increase in problematic behaviors. Teachers will discover how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma can also affect student behavior. A variety of problems are addressed in the course content including attendance issues, bullying and school violence, substance use and abuse, and explosive emotions. Teachers will explore how to successfully address these important issues using powerful social-emotional strategies and activities so that emotions become deescalated and can be properly regulated by students going forward. Teachers also learn ways to approach students with empathy and build a strong classroom community, all while taking care of themselves in the process. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more empowered in their quest to embed proven behavior management strategies into their own teaching practices to pave the way for a successful classroom learning experience. This online professional development course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.
Need help? Kimya Nabavi, PDI Program Coordinator, is ready to assist.
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
View the online course syllabus.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
TOPICAL OUTLINE
UCSD Course Number: EDUC42587
Unit One
- Student Stressors and Behavior
- Teacher Stressors and Behavior
- System Stressors and Behavior
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
Unit Two
- System Stressors and Behavior
- Building Empathy and Community
- Self-Care for Staff: An Essential Piece of the Puzzle
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
Unit Three
- The Importance of Attendance
- Attendance Strategies Based on Rewards and Consequences
- Attendance Strategies Based on Community
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
Unit Four
- Bullying and Violence in Schools
- Cultivating Empathy
- Creating Community
- Test #4
Unit Five
- Substance Use as a Chronic Illness
- The Effects of Substance Use on Behavior
- Dealing with Substance Use in Schools
- Test #5
Unit Six
- Deescalating Explosive Emotions
- Evidence-Based Strategies for Explosive Emotions
- Teaching Emotional Regulation through SEL
- Assignment #4: Respond to challenging classroom scenarios
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection
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