The Educator's Blueprint

Are you throwing up your hands regarding AI use in the classroom? Don't! Listen in on this conversation with Mark Henderson, a member of the Missouri School Board Association and Director of AI Strategy and Services. Since AI is here to stay, Mark advises that schools/districts need a plan that communicates their AI stance, along with tools that teachers and students are allowed to use, while providing adequate training and support to use those tools. In this discussion, Mark also addresses the topics of cheating and using AI for companionship. He stresses focusing on what we CAN control surrounding AI. Much of what we do with AI, going forward, may be as basic as starting with conversations about what really matters. 

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Common Sense Media

Mark Henderson: Your Human Guide to an AI World

Mark Henderson's Assignment Makeover

Season 5, Episode 88: Yikes! AI! Using Artificial Intelligence Safely and Positively

Substack

Won't Back Down: Heartland Rock and the Fight for America by Erin Osman

The moment you've been waiting for has arrived--Season 6 of The Educator's Blueprint!! We have so much in store for you this season including a new cohost, Dr. Megyn Martin, new guests, and some former favorite guests as well. Join us to learn more about Megyn and for a preview of this upcoming season. While you wait for episode 2, go back to seasons 1 through 5 of the Blueprint to revisit some topics relevant to you. So much to learn, so little time!

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Megyn's Favorite Podcasts

• Good Inside--Dr. Becky
• Elise on Life
• Crime Junkie

Lisa's Favorite Podcasts (She has sooo many more than were requested!)

Books 

• The Stacks Podcast
• Poured Over The B& N Podcast

Comedy 

• What now? With Trevor Noah 
• Madigan’s Pub Cast 
• Good Hang with Amy Poehler 

Informational  

• Expert Instruction: The Teach by Design 
• The Happiness Lab 
• Maintenance Phase 
• The Daily 

Join Lisa and Jamie for a discussion with Andrew Paulhamus, a veteran high school science teacher and PBIS team member at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania. The answer to effective classroom management and supporting students to meet behavioral expectations is CONSISTENCY. Andrew discusses how matrices are used in his school and classroom as a resource to show students what expected behaviors related to rules and routines look and sound like. Even if you are not a high school teacher, you will be provided with ways to implement these matrices effectively and include student voice in the process. 

RESOURCES

National Center on PBIS

Creating a Teaching Matrix

Information about the PaPBS and MTSS Implementor's Forum

Students come to high school with many educational experiences. Unfortunately, some of these experiences have lasting negative impacts. Join Lisa and Jamie for a conversation with high school math teacher, Melissa Hough. Melissa strongly emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment for students to actively engage in classroom activities leading to improved thinking skills and creating connections to other learning. From the beginning of her courses, Melissa encourages students to question as they problem solve--"What am I doing?" and "Why am I doing it?" Melissa's approach is not only effective teaching practice, it just makes sense.

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Examples of Engaging Instruction to Increase Equity in Education

Desmos--math tools and math resources

Delta Math--math instruction supplement

Educators, mark your calendars for June 9 and 10, when the 20th, yes 20th MO SW-PBS Summer Institute 2026 will be held at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri! So much is happening at this year's institute that you will need to listen to featured podcast guest, Jody Baker, district coach and Summer Institute Coordinator, as she outlines many institute features including the keynote speaker, breakout sessions, poster sessions, and karaoke, of course. Breakout sessions include something for everyone--all tiers of intervention, all levels of education, and a special emphasis on self-care and caring for colleagues. Jody also gives many helpful recommendations for how your team can create a plan for before, during, and after the institute to get the maximum impact for your experience. Click on the important links below for even more details. What We Do Matters!!

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

MO SW-PBS Summer Institute 2026 overview with important links

Dr. Tim Crowley--Keynote Speaker

Summer Institute FAQs

Season 4, Episode 80: PBIS Summer Institute--A Conversation with Jody Baker

As educators, we've all had experience with some version of Check-In, Check-Out (CICO) as an intervention for at-risk students. What has CICO looked like for you? Is it an intervention that can be easily used for ALL students? Most importantly, has  the use of CICO been impactful for your students and provided a path to graduation? Listen in as Lisa and Sara Estrapala discuss some very promising preliminary results of a 5-year study focusing on a simplified, standardized, formalized version of CICO. Then, Lisa and Jamie will continue the discussion with reflections of the study. You'll discover lessons that were learned from the perspectives of all involved including what worked as well as challenges along the way. If you are ready to revise your CICO processes to provide the greatest benefit for your students, this podcast may provide just the kickstart you need!

RESOURCES

Preliminary Results of a Multi-Site Examination of Check-In, Check-Out: Implications for Practice    H. Wills, S. Estrapala, L. Powers, and T. Lewis

Lessons Learned

Daily Progress Report--example numbers

Daily Progress Report--example faces

Home Report for Families--example

Missouri SW-PBS website

As a general educator, if you are wondering if function-based support should be part of your behavior management focus, wonder no more. As we have learned, especially in the previous two podcasts, questioning and understanding the "why" of behavior is key to preventing as well as de-escalating challenging behaviors. Join Lisa and Jamie for a conversation with our first high school guest for the Classroom Series, Shelby Kurtz, 9th grade social studies teacher. This is not a how to (click on the resource below). However, Shelby provides the rationale behind incorporating function-based support into everyday lessons. Her goal is to create an educational environment where students with challenging behaviors are able to stay in the classroom and learn. Don't assume, ask. Question rather than tell. Show students that you are interested in them as people. 

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Function-Based Support Throughout the Continuum--US Dept. of Education

Understanding and having tools to work through the phases of behavioral escalation and de-escalation are such significant aspects of teaching. They're so important that we're devoting another episode to this topic! Listen in as Hannah Hergenrother, a 3rd grade teacher, emphasizes building strong relationships as well as explicitly teaching and practicing co-regulation/self-regulation skills. She also stresses the role that neuroscience plays in behavior and one's ability to accept intervention. This is the perfect addendum to our last podcast. You will have some new considerations regarding de-escalating student behavior safely and effectively!

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Practice & Resource: Strategies for De-escalating Student Behavior in the Classroom

Watch Your Mouth: Non-Negotiables for Success with Your Toughest Kids              by Brian Mendler

Brain Hat   The Responsive Counselor on TpT; currently $4.99

Effectively managing escalating behaviors while maintaining safety for all is always a challenge regardless of the classroom setting. Listen in on this conversation with Nicole Daigle, an experienced special education teacher currently working in a middle school setting. She will walk you through the escalation/de-escalation phases and provide examples from her vast experience. Nicole emphasizes the importance of establishing strong, positive relationships  with your students. Learn to assess what they are trying to communicate to you both verbally and nonverbally through their behavior. Differentiate your responses throughout the de-escalation phases based on what individual students need. The goal is to maintain safety while helping all reach a state of regulation and restoration. 

RESOURCES

Center on PBIS

Practice & Resource: Strategies for De-escalating Student Behavior in the Classroom

Slow the Climb: 4 De-escalation Strategies to Keep Behavior from Going Downhill  PBISApps

The Way to Inclusion: How Leaders Create Schools Where Every Student Belongs By Julie Causton, et al

We're getting specific with our precorrects, positive praise, and corrective feedback. Join us for a conversation with Carigan Allie, a 5th grade middle school teacher in Westbrook Public Schools--Maine. Carigan emphasizes that specifically teaching, modeling, practicing, and reinforcing positive behaviors is not just about students doing what is expected to earn tangible rewards. It IS about using these opportunities to build positive relationships with students. When other colleagues buy into building positive relationships with students related to school-wide expectations, everyone has the opportunity to achieve a state of wellness.

RESOURCES

National Center on PBIS

Supporting and Responding to Students' Emotional and Behavioral Needs