Mission

A positive and productive classroom is the goal of every educator. This is also the mission of A Better Classroom; to help educators learn and implement the practical and relationship skills which are key to create this environment. Our consultations help institutions map out appropriate professional development and/or create teacher mentoring programs. Our workshops are tailored for participants to utilize the learned methods and techniques immediately to design their own positive learning settings. We present research- and experientially-driven programs that help teachers create engaging environments where students are more likely to find success.

Debbie Furgueson, CEO/Founder of A Better Classroom, has trained more than 500 educators, and has over 30 years of classroom experience working with students at the Elementary and Middle School level. Her background in Educational Psychology, in addition to spending more than half her career working with students of trauma and with challenging behaviors, makes her one of the more knowledgeable educators in her field. Her passion for education has her always striving to learn more, which only adds to her already strong base of knowledge. She uses her expertise and drive to help educators form effective programs and construct classrooms where students can thrive and reach their highest potential.

Focus

We want students to look forward to coming to our class. We want them to know they are respected and feel safe. We want them to take risks and persevere through tough tasks. Let us show you the needed ingredients in order for you to create the recipe for your students’ success. The information and techniques learned in our workshops, the charts and checklists given, and the renewed enthusiasm and confidence found in our workshops can immediately be utilized in classrooms, helping to create that positive and engaging space to learn.

Leadership by design.

Services

CONSULTING

We work with public, private, charter, and parochial school systems to:

• design and manage professional development plans

• analyze and track behavioral data to inform future professional development

• develop initiatives and support programs to enhance academic success

• create and monitor new teacher mentor programs

WORKSHOPS

We offer workshops to address all facets necessary in the creation of an inviting and focused classroom environment. These include: Physical/Theoretical Design, Lesson/Communication Design, Behavioral Design, and Trauma Design. Additional modules can be created and added by special request to tailor workshops to the specific needs of your staff.

COACHING

We develop individual and/or small group coaching sessions for teachers to help improve their understanding of, and comfort with, all areas of teaching with an emphasis on classroom leadership skills. Sessions include the identification of challenging areas, development of action plans, creation of goals, and progress monitoring.