Webinar Series – Proactive Strategies for Managing Aggressive Student Behaviour: Supporting Alberta System Education Leaders in Building Safe, Caring, and Inclusive Environments

Each webinar is eligible for 1.5 CEP credits for regulated member’s professional learning.

This webinar series will be held online from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Topic 1 – Understanding Aggressive Behaviour in School Contexts (November 19, 2025)

This session will lay the foundation for addressing aggressive student behaviour by examining the underlying root causes and contextual factors that contribute to its emergence in school settings. System leaders will explore the impact of trauma, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and environmental stressors on student behaviour. This session will highlight the importance of early recognition and risk assessment as proactive strategies for intervention.

Presenter: Deb Nunziata, Student Services Coordinator, Golden Hills School Division

Topic 2 – Evidence-based Strategies for De-escalation and Intervention (November 26, 2025)

This session will focus on equipping leaders with practical, evidence-based tools for responding to aggressive behaviour in ways that prioritize safety, dignity, and constructive learning environments. Participants will examine tiered approaches to prevention and intervention, including universal classroom strategies, targeted supports, and intensive interventions. The session will explore de-escalation techniques such as trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, and nonviolent crisis intervention.

Presenters:

• Irene Donaldson, Director Education Services, Diverse Learning Supports, Wolf Creek Public Schools
• Cody Edwards, Associate Superintendent: Learning and Student Supports, Medicine Hat Public School Division
• Carla Carrier, Executive Director of Learning, Medicine Hat Public School Division

Topic 3 – Building Sustainable, System-wide Capacity (December 3, 2025)

This session will explore how system leaders can embed proactive behaviour supports into long-term planning and organizational culture. Participants will consider how policies, professional learning, and resource allocation can strengthen staff readiness and create environments that foster positive behaviour and belonging. This session emphasizes the role of system leadership in shifting from reactive responses to sustainable, proactive approaches that prioritize safety and wellbeing for both students and staff. 

Presenters:

• Lisa Lindsay, Assistant Superintendent of Student Experiences, Prairie Rose Public Schools
• Lori Meyer, Associate Superintendent of Learning, Rocky View Schools
• Sherri Black, Director of Learning Supports, Rocky View Schools

Webinar Description:

This three-part webinar series is designed for Alberta system education leaders and educators who are committed to fostering safe, caring, and inclusive school environments. The series explores proactive, evidence-based strategies for recognizing, de-escalating, and managing aggressive student behavior through an integrated system approach.

Each session will connect theory to practice by featuring Alberta-based stories of practice, relevant research, and collaborative reflection. Participants will deepen their understanding of the complex factors that contribute to aggression, examine intervention strategies that prioritize safety and dignity, and explore ways to embed sustainable, system-wide supports.

Grounded in Alberta’s professional practice standards, this series emphasizes leadership approaches that enhance staff capacity, student wellbeing, and organizational resilience—creating the conditions for success for all learners.

As a result of participating in this three-part webinar series, participants will be able to:

• understand the underlying causes and contextual factors that contribute to aggressive student behavior.
• explore evidence-based strategies to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to aggression in educational settings.
• strengthen system-level policies, professional learning, and supports that promote safety and inclusion.
• build sustainable capacity across schools to foster positive, proactive learning environments for all students and staff.