Engaging our Students with Behavior Challenges, Wells, Fall 2025

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S59
Instructor:	David Wells, M.Ed.
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	Oct 04 - Nov 16, 2025. Online video introduction session on October 4, 2025 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM with the remainder of the course in an online asynchronous environment.
Credits:	3 Graduate Credits
Tuition:	$1,195

Course Description

The number of struggling students in our classrooms has grown substantially over the years. We all have students in our classrooms who need more support than typical behavior systems can provide. This course will address the psychological needs of struggling students. We will explore ways to deepen our understanding of students and provide support that makes a lasting difference while also caring for ourselves. Participants in this course will leave with an action plan that they can immediately put into place to support students in their school or classroom.

Audience: PK-12 Teachers and Administrators with an earned bachelor's degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

Developing an understanding of the psychological factors which cause suffering for students.
Establishing behavioral expectations and routines that meet student needs.
Responding to student misbehavior in a respectful and effective way that meets students' needs.

Course Objectives:

Develop hypotheses about the root causes of student misbehavior.
Identify key practices which foster a sense of empathy and belonging in the classroom.
Design a specific action plan to increase the emotional wellbeing of students.

Course Schedule

Week One:

How have you built an environment of trust in your classroom? Due: Oct. 12th

Week Two:

Describe the importance of idealization, empathy and belonging in the life of a child. Due: Oct 19th

Week Three:

Collaborative planning with students Due: Oct 26th

Week Four:

Strategies to Keep and Strategies to Stop Due: Nov. 2nd

Week Five:

Goals for your action plan Due: Nov. 9th

Week Six:

Final Draft of your Action Plan, Due: Nov. 16th

Instructor

David Wells, M.Ed.

David has been a Vermont teacher, principal and superintendent for over thirty years. He believes in making classrooms safe and engaging for students with plenty of project-based learning. When he is not teaching at Vermont State University, you can find David spending time with his grandchildren or restoring vintage typewriters!