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Teacher Resources

STAFF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Workshops presented by Becky Knutsen, M.Ed.
Becky is the founder of Student-Centered Services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education and a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.

 

A licensed teacher with over 20 years of experience, Becky is also an advanced practitioner in Robyn Gobbel’s Baffling Behavior Training Institute’s Professional Immersion Program. She has dedicated her career to supporting children, families, and school staff with practical, connection-based strategies that create lasting change.

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Two-Part “Making Sense of Behavior” Professional Development Series

Format: In-person or virtual | Audience: Educators, school staff, and administrators

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This two-part series helps educators make sense of student behavior—both in the moment and after it happens. Part 1 can be attended as a standalone session and offers a strong foundation in understanding and responding to behavior. Part 2 builds on that foundation, offering deeper insight into internalized behaviors and what to do after dysregulation has occurred.

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Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for 2 clock hours per session. These trainings align with the Positive Behavior Interventions (PBIS) continuing education requirement in Minnesota. Educators are encouraged to check with their local continuing education committee or licensing board to determine whether hours will be accepted toward license renewal.

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Part 1: Making Sense of Behavior (Even When It Makes No Sense at All)

 *can be attended as a standalone session*

Length: 2 hours

This engaging and practical training helps educators better understand the “why” behind student behavior—and what to do about it. Grounded in current research and real-world classroom experience, the session offers clear tools for preventing challenging behavior and responding in ways that support regulation, connection, and learning.

 

Participants will learn:

  • Everyday ways to create a learning environment that reduces challenging behavior before it starts

  • How to recognize early signs of dysregulation

  • What to say and do in the moment that helps—not escalates

  • Strategies that support students in getting back to a more regulated state

  • Tools that support both students and the adults working with them

This session is compassionate, practical, and designed for real classrooms with real students.
 

Part 2: After the Behavior – Supporting Students Through Repair and Regulation

Length: 2 hours

This follow-up to Making Sense of Behavior focuses on what happens after a dysregulated moment—whether it looks like a loud outburst or a silent shutdown. Educators often ask- What now? What about a consequence? 

 

In Part 1, we focused primarily on externalizing behaviors—those that are loud, disruptive, or attention-grabbing. In this session, we expand our understanding of dysregulation to include internalizing behaviors, like shut-down and withdrawal, which are often overlooked or misunderstood. We’ll explore how to recognize when a student is retreating instead of reacting—and what helps them come back online.

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We’ll also dig into meaningful repair, accountability, and what it really means to teach through—not just react to—challenging moments.

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Participants will learn:

  • How to recognize and support students who freeze, shut down, or disengage

  • What to say and do after a dysregulated moment—without shame or blame

  • How to approach consequences in ways that teach rather than punish

  • Strategies for repair and reflection that rebuild connection and trust

  • Tools for supporting student growth while staying grounded and connected as the adult
     

This session gives educators concrete ways to follow through after hard moments—while keeping regulation, connection, and learning at the center.

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Leading with Connection: Real-life Strategies for Behavior and Discipline

Length: 2 hours

This training centers on connection as the foundation for all effective discipline. When students feel connected, they are more able to learn, cooperate, and recover from challenges. Educators will learn how to build this foundation through daily interactions, prevent many behaviors before they start, respond calmly in the moment, and repair relationships in ways that teach and hold accountability.

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Participants will learn:

  • How to build everyday connections that reduce power struggles and support learning

  • What to look for in early signs of dysregulation and how to respond effectively

  • How to repair relationships after conflict in ways that rebuild trust and teach accountability

  • Practical ways to create classrooms where students feel safe, understood, and ready to learn

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This session helps educators see connection as the heart of prevention, response, and repair.

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Schedule one of these informative, interactive, and meaningful professional learning opportunities today!

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