For Elementary teachers: Join Robyn Frandsen, School Psychologist, and Kenna Meyer, Speech-Language Pathologist, for an insightful presentation designed to help teachers understand and support students with challenging behaviors. With years of experience co-treating students at Odyssey Elementary, we’ve developed practical, evidence-based strategies that address a wide range of needs. This session focuses on recognizing and supporting students with selective mutism, an anxiety-based condition where speech is limited in certain settings. You’ll learn to identify its causes, foster communication, and create a safe, encouraging classroom environment. We’ll also tackle avoidance behaviors, such as task refusal, frequent breaks, and eloping. These actions are often a way for students to communicate their struggles. By reframing how we view these behaviors, we can better address the underlying issues and help students re-engage with learning. Guided by our belief that “behavior is a form of communication,” we’ll share actionable strategies to help you foster trust, promote engagement, and build meaningful relationships with students. You’ll leave with a practical toolkit of techniques that transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether you’re a teacher, paraprofessional, or school staff member, this presentation will empower you to create a more inclusive, supportive classroom environment. Let’s work together to understand behavior, build connections, and inspire every student’s success!
