Engaging our Students with Behavior Challenges, Wells, Summer 2025

Course Number:	EDX 5710 S72
Instructor:	David Wells, M.Ed.
Location:	Online
Dates and Times:	June 28 - Aug 10, 2025. Online video introduction session on June 28, 2025 from 9:00 - 10:30 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

How have you built an environment of trust in your classroom? Due: July 6th
Describe the importance of idealization, empathy and belonging in the life of a child. Due: July 13th
Collaborative planning with students Due: July 20th
Strategies to Keep and Strategies to Stop Due: July 27th
Goals for your action plan Due: Aug 3rd
Final Draft of your Action Plan, Due: Aug 10th

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!