Audience

Principals, District Leaders, Special Education Directors, and Aspiring Administrators

Presenter Name(s)

Presenter Bio(s)

Description

Based on the SchoolCEO article “From Outrage to Understanding,” this two-hour intensive workshop moves beyond theory and into the “practice of presence.” We will explore the science of why these conversations feel so difficult—focusing on the role of norepinephrine and the “offline” brain—and provide leaders with a toolkit to bring critical thinking back to the table. Participants will spend the majority of the session in active practice, applying “Looping for Understanding” and “Active Listening” techniques to real-world scenarios. We will place a special emphasis on the unique complexities of being building leaders, such as navigating conversations in a special education context, where underlying fears about a child’s future often manifest as anger or distrust. 

Learning Objectives:

• De-escalate with Science: Understand the physiological triggers that cause conversations to derail and learn “reset” strategies for yourself and others. 
• Master the Loop: Practice “Looping for Understanding” (summarizing, validating, and checking) to bridge the gap between skepticism and trust. 
• Move from Venting to Solutions: Learn how to transition a highly emotional dialogue into a collaborative, student-centered action plan without sacrificing policy or boundaries.

Synchronous / Asynchronous

Synchronous

Location

Live via Zoom

Dates & Times

November 3, 2026;  12pm – 2pm

PDPs

2

Credit

n/a

Cost

$150 ACCEPT members/$180 non-members

Team Rates Available

Registration Deadline

October 20, 2026