2026 MSAA Summer Institute

Student dysregulation has become one of the most significant barriers to teaching and learning in schools today. Across grade levels, educators report increased classroom disruption, student anxiety, and behavioral escalation that impacts both instructional time and school climate. Yet many schools focus primarily on student behavior strategies without addressing a critical factor: the role of adult regulation and leadership practices in creating predictable and supportive learning environments.This session helps school leaders understand the neuroscience and system dynamics behind dysregulation and provides practical leadership strategies that support staff responding to challenging behavior.Participants will explore how adult stress responses influence school climate, why behavior systems break down under pressure, and what leaders can do to create alignment across classrooms. Administrators will leave with concrete strategies they can implement immediately to support their staff.