Lisa Gurdin was the featured speaker at Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth’s seminar, “Moving from Conflict to Connection: Proactive Strategies for Avoiding Power Struggles & Responding (instead of reacting) to Challenging Behavior,” on Feb. 3. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
WAKEFIELD — Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) hosted an in-person professional development seminar, “Moving from Conflict to Connection: Proactive Strategies for Avoiding Power Struggles & Responding (instead of reacting) to Challenging Behavior” on Tuesday at the Massachusetts Police Training Committee (MPTC) Randolph Police Academy.
Lisa Gurdin, a nationally recognized educator and consultant, led the seminar for school administrators, teachers and support staff from across the region, with a focus on strengthening their approach to student behavior and relationship-building.
Gurdin guided participants through strategies for recognizing and avoiding power struggles with students before they escalate. She helped attendees unpack the circumstances that often lead to these situations, look more closely into their contest and identify ways to move more quickly toward compassionate responses rather than emotional reactivity.
Through small and large group discussions and hands-on activities, attendees explored practical strategies for helping students regulate their emotions, communicate effectively and problem-solve daily challenges.
For more than 20 years, Gurdin has worked with students, families and school-based professionals supporting learners from preschool through age 22 with complex needs. She provides consultation, evaluations and staff training, and works closely with families and educators to build consistent support systems. She also serves as a part-time lecturer and supervisor in Northeastern University’s Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis program.
Participants praised the seminar for its practical focus and immediate relevance to their work.
“This seminar shared the most significant steps in avoiding power struggles — managing our own adult mindset,” said Jessica Hester, Assistant Principal at Wood End Elementary School in Reading. “As adults, it is our responsibility to change the environment, the relationship and the future interactions. We create it, but students respond to it.”
“The seminar was insightful, practical and empowering,” said Anthony D’Ampolo, a special education teacher in Everett. “‘Moving from Conflict to Connection’ offered meaningful strategies for avoiding power struggles and responding — rather than reacting — to challenging behavior. I appreciated the emphasis on self-awareness, emotional regulation and building connection as a foundation for positive behavior change. This seminar provided tools I can immediately use and reflect on in my daily practice. Lisa Gurdin is an outstanding teacher and presenter!”
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Featured speaker Lisa Gurdin, left, with Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Executive Director Margie Daniels. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
Featured speaker Lisa Gurdin, left, leads group discussions during a seminar for Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. (Photo Courtesy Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth)
