Give your k-12 staff the de-escalation skills to effectively handle more situations on their own.
When staff are better able to de-escalate situations on their own, fewer incidents escalate, fewer calls go out for administrator help, and the building can run smoother.
Course time (60 - 90 min)
TRUSTED ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS
Needham Public Schools
Longmeadow Schools
St. Michael's Academy
Postive Behavior Supports
J.S. Bryant School
The Valley West School
Springfield Prep Charter
Petersham Public Schools
Pathfinder Vocational
Ludlow Public Schools
Veritas Prep Charter
Central MA Collaborative
Belchertown Schools
Orange Public Schools
Worcester Schools Busing
Ralph Mahar Regional
East Longmeadow Schools
Embracing The Creative Child
Hampshire Regional Schools
P. Charter School of Science
De-escalation PRO
Effective De-escalation Helps Lead to...
Less disruption to the building
When situations are resolved quickly, neighboring classrooms are less likely to be interrupted, and students are less likely to be moved out of their own rooms.
Fewer calls for administrator assistance
When staff can manage situations at the classroom level, principals and assistant principals are pulled away from their work less often.
Reduction of property destruction
De-escalated situations are less likely to reach the point where rooms, materials, and electronic devices are damaged.
Safer outcomes for all
The quicker a situation is handled, the less likely a physical intervention is needed or anyone in the room gets hurt — student or adult.
What We'll Cover With Your Staff
De-escalation Demystified
Looks at what de-escalation actually is, how it works, and how it differs from traditional behavior management.
This can help staff recognize which situations call for which approach.
Foundations of De-escalation
Introduces the core principles behind successful de-escalation. Staff who understand these foundations can apply them across any situation — not just the ones they've seen before.
De-escalation Variables
Understanding these variables can help staff adjust their approach based on what's actually in play — so they aren't blaming themselves or their technique when something outside their control is driving the situation.
Understanding Escalation
Looks at what's actually going on when someone escalates — physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Recognizing what's happening inside an escalated person helps with choosing responses that work with the escalation rather than against it.
Setting The Table for Success
Preparation done ahead of time, so tools and supports are ready to use the moment they're needed. When that preparation is already in place, de-escalation can start with resources rather than starting from scratch.
The Quick Assessment
A method for quickly reading what may be causing an escalation. With a clearer read, responses can be matched to what's actually driving the situation rather than defaulting to a generic reaction.
What You Say Without Speaking
How body language, positioning, and facial expression can shape a situation before words do — for better or worse. The wrong stance or gesture can escalate things on its own, while the right non-verbal cues can help calm someone down even when a staff member can't find the right thing to say.
De-escalation Essentials
The core skills and phrases used to help calm someone down. What to say, how to say it, and what to do while saying it. Staff with the right tools are less likely to reach for the wrong ones (ultimatums, threats, raised voice) that make situations worse.
Team De-escalation Done Right
When more than one staff member responds to a situation, things can either come together or fall apart. This section covers how to work alongside other staff without getting in each other's way — and how extra people in the room can support the effort rather than complicate it.
De-escalation Roadblocks (to avoid)
Common mistakes that can derail a de-escalation effort or drag it out far longer than it needs to go. Knowing what these look like ahead of time can help staff spot them before they do damage — including ones they might be doing without realizing it.
The Importance of The Recovery Phase
What happens after a student calms down matters as much as how the situation was handled in the moment. This section covers the work that comes next — for the student, for the staff involved, and for the rest of the day — and why skipping it can set the stage for the next incident.
Fundamentals of De-escalation Safety
De-escalation puts staff in close proximity to someone who may be physically unpredictable. This section covers how to reduce the chances of injury during the process — from positioning and spacing to reading warning signs that a situation may be turning physical.