___________________________
|
|
_________________________
|
Dealing with Difficult People
1 credit hour Iowa license renewal course (What's this?)
Register anytime. Take 2 full months to complete!
Difficult interactions are inevitable in the world of education, whether it involves managing disruptive students, addressing concerns with parents, collaborating with colleagues who have differing viewpoints, or navigating complex dynamics with administrators. This class provides teachers with a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing these challenging situations.
Participants will delve into the psychology behind difficult behavior, uncovering the root causes that often drive it, such as unmet needs, miscommunication, or external stressors. The course will introduce evidence-based techniques, including de-escalation strategies, assertive communication, and emotional intelligence, to foster a calm and constructive environment.
By learning how to recognize triggers, manage their own emotional responses, and establish clear, respectful boundaries, educators will be better prepared to handle conflicts with empathy and confidence. This class aims to empower teachers with a mindset shift—from merely coping with difficult people to building more effective relationships that contribute to a positive, supportive learning community.
Join us to transform your challenging interactions into opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful change.
Participants will delve into the psychology behind difficult behavior, uncovering the root causes that often drive it, such as unmet needs, miscommunication, or external stressors. The course will introduce evidence-based techniques, including de-escalation strategies, assertive communication, and emotional intelligence, to foster a calm and constructive environment.
By learning how to recognize triggers, manage their own emotional responses, and establish clear, respectful boundaries, educators will be better prepared to handle conflicts with empathy and confidence. This class aims to empower teachers with a mindset shift—from merely coping with difficult people to building more effective relationships that contribute to a positive, supportive learning community.
Join us to transform your challenging interactions into opportunities for growth, connection, and meaningful change.
Organization
This is a 1 credit hour Iowa license renewal course. Course goals will be met through instructor designed activities, supplemental readings, videos, reflections, and instructor feedback.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will...
- Understand the Dynamics of Difficult Interactions: Recognize common triggers and root causes of challenging behavior, whether it stems from students, parents, colleagues, or administrators.
- Apply Effective Communication Strategies: Demonstrate techniques such as active listening, assertive communication, and de-escalation tactics to manage difficult conversations and conflicts.
- Maintain Emotional Regulation: Identify personal triggers and develop strategies for staying calm, composed, and professional during high-stress situations.
- Establish Clear Boundaries and Expectations: Develop and enforce appropriate boundaries to create a respectful and productive classroom and school environment.
- Resolve Conflicts Constructively: Utilize conflict resolution frameworks to address issues proactively, turning challenging situations into opportunities for growth and understanding.
- Build Positive Relationships: Foster an inclusive and supportive environment by enhancing empathy, mutual respect, and understanding, even with challenging individuals.
- Reflect and Adapt: Continuously reflect on personal practice, learn from experiences, and adapt strategies to improve future interactions and relationships.
How Does This Course Support The Iowa Core?
1. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies:
The Iowa Core emphasizes developing students' social-emotional skills, such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. A class on dealing with difficult people helps teachers model these competencies by teaching them to manage their own emotions, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts constructively. This modeling is crucial in helping students develop these same skills.
2. Creating a Positive Learning Environment:
A key component of the Iowa Core is fostering a positive classroom climate where all students feel safe, respected, and motivated to learn. Teachers trained to handle difficult interactions are better equipped to de-escalate conflicts, address disruptive behavior, and maintain a calm and focused learning environment. This contributes to a classroom atmosphere conducive to learning, where every student has the opportunity to succeed.
3. Building Effective Relationships:
The Iowa Core outlines the importance of collaboration and effective communication among all members of the school community, including students, teachers, parents, and administrators. A class on managing difficult people provides teachers with strategies to build stronger relationships by addressing misunderstandings, bridging communication gaps, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and cooperation, thereby enhancing collaboration and student success.
4. Professional Development and Reflective Practice:
The Iowa Core encourages ongoing professional development and reflective practice for educators. This class offers a chance for teachers to reflect on their own experiences, biases, and emotional triggers when dealing with challenging individuals. It supports the continuous growth of teachers by helping them develop new strategies, build resilience, and approach difficult interactions with greater confidence and empathy.
5. Alignment with Core Literacy Skills:
The skills taught in a class on dealing with difficult people also support core literacy goals, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. When teachers learn to navigate challenging conversations and conflicts, they model these essential skills for their students, promoting higher-order thinking and effective interpersonal skills in the classroom.
By integrating these strategies into their daily practice, teachers help align with the Iowa Core's mission to ensure that all students are engaged, motivated, and equipped with the social, emotional, and academic skills necessary for success.
Course Topics that Support Instructional Practices and Strategies:
1. Relationships
2. Calming & De-escalating
3. Reasons for Behavior
4. Advice to Educators
5. Difficult Parents/Supportive Parents
6. Validation
7. Difficult Staff
8. Stress & Burnout
9. Bureaucracy
10. Common Ground
Grading
This is a 1 credit hour Iowa license renewal only course. Grading is Pass/Fail. Students are required to participate in and complete all assignments and/or activities. Participants must earn scores of 80% or better to receive Pass score and receive credit.
Required Text:
No textbook required. All materials provided on line.