Dr. Rita Pierson has been a professional educator since 1972, serving in numerous roles, including elementary regular and special education teacher, junior high teacher, counselor, assistant principal, director, testing coordinator, and consultant. In addition, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Rita also developed and implemented a school/community involvement program for a large urban elementary school, as well as organized and trained an in-school crisis team for students in need of immediate intervention.

This training focuses on two major concerns of classroom teachers: student discipline and building relationships with parents. Participants will have the opportunity to examine workable strategies designed to help students become more responsible and self reliant, as well as ideas on building positive teacher-student relationships. With focus on Ruby Payne*s philosophy of mutually respectful relationships, this workshop helps teachers to develop structured, no-nonsense learning environments, without sacrificing student creativity and individual freedom.