SI 2026: Breakout Session #5

Burnout is what happens when you give more than you recover. This session will introduce The Bright Siders’ seven micro-habits — a proven daily formula that resets your mindset, refuels your energy, and reignites your purpose in fewer than 10 minutes a day. Come learn exactly what each micro-habit is, why they work, and how to make them automatic. There are no complicated systems, and no extra time is necessary. Just seven simple practices that will help you love your work while protecting your well-being.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Learn all seven micro-habits with 90-second protocols
• Discover strategies to restore balance and establish energy boundaries using practical scripts
• Identify which burnout factor is hitting you the hardest, and create a personalized 30-day recovery plan

What makes a school culture thrive isn’t just programs. It’s also the people. At Gerald Elementary School, our SW-PBS framework supports students by giving them meaningful ways to connect, lead, and take ownership. From peer mediation and family groups to student-led projects, clubs, and traditions, these experiences help students feel valued, responsible, and part of something bigger. This session will also highlight how intentionally nurturing a positive, collaborative staff culture strengthens consistency, morale, and the impact of SW-PBS throughout the entire school community.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Identify ways to strengthen school culture by building intentional relationships, routines, and a shared purpose
• Learn how student-leadership opportunities (such as peer mediation, family groups, clubs, and Dutch Camp) can enhance SW-PBS implementation
• Understand how cultivating a collaborative staff culture supports consistency, improves morale, and reinforces a thriving SW-PBS framework

When educators prioritize their own wellness, they model healthy habits and emotional resilience for students. Yoga creates a culture where selfcare and mindfulness are seen as valuable and necessary. Educators who practice yoga are better able to stay present with their students and colleagues, listen deeply, and respond thoughtfully instead of reactively. This session will be an opportunity to come together and engage in a mindful yoga practice. Come comfy and prepared to disengage stress and connect your mind and body in a beginner-level class.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Learn how yoga can foster a sense of community among educators, which strengthens collaboration, trust, and mutual support
• Discover how yoga helps regulate the body’s stress response through mindful breathing, movement, and relaxation

Acting-out behaviors manifest in ways that make both classroom management and academic success challenging. In this session, the book Managing the Cycle of Acting-Out Behavior in the Classroom by Geoffrey T. Colvin and Terrance M. Scott will be used to provide an understanding of acting-out behavior along with strategies educators can use to intervene proactively to prevent or minimize behavioral issues.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Become familiar with the acting-out cycle
• Identify strategies to use in elementary and secondary settings that can diffuse escalating behaviors

Learn about one alternative high school’s work on SW-PBS programming that focuses on creating a supportive, structured environment that meets the needs of all students. In this session, participants will explore how the school has built comprehensive systems including positive acknowledgment and reinforcement, trauma-informed staff training, and effective Tier 1 and Tier 2 team development. Participants will also learn about the school’s advisory system and strategies for teaching and reinforcing schoolwide expectations.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Dive into the realities of data collection in an alternative high school — what makes it challenging and valuable, and how it drives meaningful student support
• Discover creative ways to build and strengthen SW-PBS in alternative settings while navigating challenges with limited staffing resources
• Learn how a Tier 2 model was developed to support students who had previously been classified as Tier 3 at their former schools

In this session, learn how to create a safe, structured, and encouraging environment where all students can succeed by teaching clear expectations, practicing routines, and providing consistent positive reinforcement. Using SW-PBS in physical education promotes teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-regulation while maximizing active learning time. Come discover how to help students build lifelong skills and learn the benefits of physical activity.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Create student-teacher relationships that are more positive
• Experience fewer instructional interruptions
• Foster stronger social-emotional development among students

In this session, come discover the connection between mindfulness and SW-PBS. Stress in our daily lives is a common occurrence while chronic stress greatly impacts learning and behavior. Research suggests that mindfulness meditation is a low-cost and effective intervention that can change the neuroplasticity in the brain to support self-control and reduce problem behaviors. Participants will learn some basic mindfulness techniques for the classroom and will walk away with additional resources to guide them with further implementation and practice.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Learn how mindfulness, SW-PBS, and social-emotional teaching are connected
• Learn how mindfulness impacts attention, emotion, immune function, and stress reduction
• Understand basic mindfulness techniques for the classroom, for individuals, and for self-care

Join this practical and engaging session focused on building consistency and alignment within SW-PBS systems at both the schoolwide and classroom levels. Participants will explore effective strategies for creating clear expectations, reinforcing positive behaviors, and strengthening school culture. Through collaboration and shared examples, participants will leave with actionable tools and an implementation plan to bring back to their own schools to help staff and students thrive through a unified, positive, and predictable SW-PBS framework.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Understand key components of effective schoolwide and classroom SW-PBS systems that promote consistency and positive culture
• Explore practical strategies for implementing and sustaining SW-PBS expectations, routines, and reinforcement systems
• Develop an action plan for aligning schoolwide and classroom SW-PBS practices to support staff, students, and overall building success

Embark on the adventure of discovering the Wildcat Way. This session will take participants on a journey filled with unexpected detours, like teacher turnover, and scenic overlooks, such as overcoming funding hurdles and building buy-in. Our school has navigated bumps in the road, but the view from the top has been worth it — better attendance, fewer office discipline referrals, and a more-vibrant school climate.

SESSION OUTCOMES:

• Understand how SW-PBS can be adapted effectively for the unique needs of a small, rural district
• Discover how school climate influences staff and student buy‑in