Professional Development
Please check the most current issue of our newsletter for professional development offerings. It sometimes takes us longer to update this page.
Handling Upset: The Adult-First Mindset Shift
There’s a fundamental flaw in many discipline approaches: The expectation that adults can teach skills we struggle with ourselves. Curriculums that provide words and actions for children without providing the words and actions for adults will always fall flat. We cannot effectively teach skills we do not practice ourselves! Empower yourself to change the “do as I say, not as I do” dynamic with Handling Upset: The Adult-first Mindset Shift.
Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor Jill Molli’s uniquely conversational approach to the content creates a delightful exploration of:
The adult-first mindset shift: What it is and why it’s essential for children’s growth and our own
The foundation of upset: Where upset comes from and how to handle it
The Conscious Discipline Brain State Model: The key that unlocks an understanding of children’s behavior and our own
Active calming and wishing well: Two core strategies for regaining composure and bringing the best of ourselves to each moment
Noticing: A simple technique for replacing brain-depleting judgment with brain-building language
Brain integration strategies: An integrated brain is wired for learning, problem solving and achievement
Strategies for naming and claiming our feelings: Managing our upset improves every relationship in our lives, and models and teaches the skills we want children to use
How it will work: You will watch each of the 8 video lessons on your own ahead of each follow-up online facilitated discussion. Those who fully participate will receive a certificate for 18 hours of professional development.
Prerequisite: This series is intended for educators who have participated in the Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Homes and School series or another foundational training.
Facilitator: Anne-Marie Gagne
Dates: Sunday mornings, October 5, 2025 November 2, December 7, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 5, and May 3, 2026
Time: 7:15 AM to 8:30 AM
Cost: Free for educators, paras, and other school personnel from districts with NCES membership. All others, $149.
Register: Online or call NCES, M-F between 8:00-4:00 at 603-466-5437.
Interested but Sunday mornings don't work for you? Drop a message to Lori Langlois, lori@ncedservices.org. If there are enough folks interested, we will add a weekday evening series.
Conscious Discipline Online Series: Building Resilient Schools and Homes for Educators
Conscious Discipline is a social‐emotional learning and classroom management approach. Developed by a teacher for teachers, the philosophy of Conscious Discipline emerged after years of working with children and experiencing the challenges of a broken system full of hurting children and frustrated adults. The methodology and best‐practices of Conscious Discipline offer a different – and proven – pathway to transformation.
Join colleagues for online discussions to reflect on the 10-lesson video series, Building Resilient Schools and Homes. The video series is lead by Dr. Becky Bailey, educator, author, and child development expert. Participants will watch the videos on their own and come prepared to discuss and reflect during the online discussion sessions.
Facilitator: Gretchen Cook
Schedule: Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:45 PM:
September 30, 2025 for video #1, Intro to Conscious Discipline (65 mins)
October 28 for video #2, Becoming Brain Smart (90 mins)
December 2 for videos #3, Creating the School Family (54 mins) and #4 Composure (51) mins)
January 6 for video #5, Assertiveness (67 mins)
February 3 for video #6, Encouragement (54 mins)
March 3 for videos #7, Choices (37 mins) and #8, Empathy (60 mins)
March 31 for video #9, Positive Intent (48 mins)
May 5 for video #10, Consequences (58 mins)
For: Teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel and licensed early childcare providers. Please note that the video content is geared to the elementary grades, but the practices can be applied for any age.
Cost: Free for staff with full or associate membership with NCES ($149 for others). Most North Country schools are members, click here to check.
Register for educator series: Online or call NCES, M-F, 8-4 at 603-466-5437.
Professional Development Hours: For those who actively participate in the online discussions (with camera on), there will be 20 hours awarded,10+ hours for watching the video lessons and 1.25 hours per online discussion participation. You must participate in at least 4 of the online discussions to receive a professional development certificate.
Registration
Not sure if your school is a full member or associate member? Check membership status here.
Register by calling 603-466-5437 during office hours, M-F, 8:00-4:00.
Unless otherwise noted, all sessions held at:
North Country Education Services
300 Gorham Hill Road
Gorham, NH 03581
Directions & map
Registration questions may be directed to lisa@ncedservices.org or by calling 603-466-5437.
Cancellation Policy for Professional Development Events*
All received registrations are subject to Cancellation/Refund policy. A full refund will be made for cancellations sent via email 7 days before the event.
Refunds will not be given if the request is received less than 7 days prior to the event.
Refunds will not be given for “no shows”.
NCES accepts substitution of another person. 24 hour advanced notice is appreciated.*Registration fee or signed Purchase Order is due on or before the event.
NCES reserves the right to postpone or cancel events.
*Some offerings may have additional requirements and more stringent cancellation rules.