Class Description - EXPRESS: Dealing with Difficult People (8.21.26-8.20.27)

Date: Register anytime between August 21, 2026 - August 20, 2027
Course #: LR 288:727
Number of License Renewal Credit Hours: 1
Registration Deadline: Last day to register is Friday, August 20th 2027 by 5:00 p.m.

How it Works:
Participants will have at least 2 full months after registration to complete their course.

Examples:

Register FEBRUARY 1ST and start the course as soon as your registration has been processed.
You will have until APRIL 30TH to complete the class.
Register FEBRUARY 25TH and start the course as soon as your registration has been processed.
You will have until APRIL 30TH to complete the class.

Students must monitor their progress and finish the course at the end of 2 months after registration.
If there is a problem, or any questions, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor.

Course Description:

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.

Required Materials:
All materials provided online

Outcomes and Objectives:
By the end of the class, participants will be able to:

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.

Instructor Methods and Course Design:

This self-paced, 1-credit hour class design balances concise instruction with interactive and reflective elements, ensuring that teachers gain practical skills for dealing with difficult people while engaging with the content in a meaningful way. Participants are to work through the modules independently, watch videos, read articles, reflect, and take quizzes. You will have at least 2 full months to complete the class after registration.

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**Important Registration Information for You**
Please read through as these are Frequently Asked Questions in which answers can be found within this page.

1. The instructor will email you once the start date arrives with information on how to get started in the class.

Emails regarding this class will come from the instructor/organization with an email address ending in professional.development@educateteachers.org;
Be sure to check your junk/spam/clutter folders-mailboxes in case the email address isn't recognized as a known address; and
IF YOU ARE USING A SCHOOL EMAIL ADDRESS, many schools have their network security filters set up to push unknown emails directly to spam and you will not even see it-if this is the case you will need to either talk to your IT department and request emails with the email address be allowed through or let us know you want to use a different email address.

2. The Tabs at the top of the registration page have important additional information regarding this class:

The Syllabus gives information of what will be expected of you in the course. Generally, it will include course policies, rules and regulations, required texts, and a schedule of assignments;
The Fees will let you know how much this class will cost depending on the type of credit you want to take it for as well as if you are an ISEA member or not;
The Cancellation Policy is important so you know how to cancel if you need to and how refunds are handled; and
The ISEA Official Transcript page tells you how to access your transcript once the class has ended.