*New!* Hugging Porcupines Two-Day Workshop
In this practical, active, and interactive workshop, educators will…
better understand, and have empathy for, students who struggle in school.
learn about the four key elements of positive teacher-student relationships.
gain skills and strategies for setting up an effective discipline system.
learn how to use consequences effectively and non-punitively.
learn how to have an effective one-on-one problem-solving conference (and understand why not to outsource these to administrators or counselors!).
consider ideas for how to adjust expectations.
gain strategies for teaching students routines, interpersonal skills, and skills of self-management.
gain access to an online binder of supportive tools and resources.
have time to plan for implementation, especially about the upcoming part of the school year (whenever that may be).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this workshop designed for? This workshop has been created for K-12 educators of various roles: classroom teachers, special education teachers, unified arts teachers, paraeducators, administrators, and anyone else who works with children in a school.
When can this workshop be offered? Though certainly this would be a great summer workshop for a school/district, it can be offered any time of the year.
Can it be divided into multiple visits? Yes. This could be offered as two one-day workshops or even as smaller mini-workshops taught over many months.
Do workshop participants need a copy of Hugging Porcupines? While not necessary, it is strongly recommended that everyone in the workshop have their own copy of Hugging Porcupines. The book is explored throughout the workshop, and it provides educators with a month-by-month implementation guide after the workshop is finished.
Is Mike Anderson the only one who can teach this workshop? No! Mike has shared this workshop with a select few trusted colleagues. You can reach out to them directly (see their profiles below) if you’d like to bring them to your school, district, or organization.
Who Can Teach This Hugging Porcupines Two-Day Workshop?
Mike Anderson is the author of Hugging Porcupines and the creator of this two-day workshop. He was a classroom teacher in public schools for many years. He now supports teachers and schools through keynotes, presentations, workshops, coaching, and customized consulting. He is an award-winning teacher and consultant and a best-selling author.
You can learn more about Mike and his work by exploring his “Brief Overview” and his “Curriculum Vitae” pages on this site. Email Mike (mike@leadinggreatlearning.com) to discuss bringing him to your school.
Andy Dousis is a former 3rd-4th grade teacher and a high school football and wrestling coach. Andy left the classroom, gridiron, and mat to work for the Northeast Foundation for Children as a Senior Consultant where he worked with teachers implementing the Responsive Classroom approach with a concentration in urban education. He has also co-authored two books, The Research-Ready Classroom and Doing Math In Morning Meeting.
Currently, Andy is the owner of Andy Dousis Education Consultant LLC where he works closely with teachers and leadership teams to examine systems, structures, teacher skills and students skills that can help meet both academic and social learning goals. This work entails training as the basis for follow-up on-site observations and feedback to grow all stakeholders.
Email Andy directly (amdousis@gmail.com) to discuss bringing him to your school.
Sarah Fillion believes that when teaching gets easier, schools get stronger. An educator for more than two decades, Sarah taught in urban and suburban elementary schools before becoming a consultant and coach. Today, she partners with schools around the world to give educators the practical tools, meaningful support, and confidence they need to do their jobs well—without losing themselves in the process. Through customized professional learning and coaching, Sarah helps teachers and leaders strengthen their practice, solve the challenges getting in their way, and create schools where both staff and students can thrive.
You can learn more about Sarah and her work at Positive School Solutions. Email Sarah directly (sarah@positiveschoolsolutions.com) to discuss bringing her to your school.
Earl Hunter II is an educator, consultant, coach, and keynote speaker with more than 30 years of experience in education. He spent 20 years as an elementary classroom teacher before expanding his work to support educators, school leaders, and school communities across the United States and internationally. Today, Earl provides keynotes, professional development, coaching, strategic planning, and customized consulting focused on social-emotional learning, school culture, leadership, and creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments. He also is a featured contributor to Responsive Classroom’s Teaching Self-Discipline.
You can learn more about Earl and his work through Earl Hunter Consulting on LinkedIn. Email Earl directly (earlhunterconsulting@gmail.com) to discuss bringing him to your school.
Erin Moore was a classroom teacher for 20 years. She taught in heterogeneous classrooms in public schools with wonderfully diverse students. In her school, she served as a mentor teacher, helped lead many school and district initiatives, and led in-house professional development. She has also led professional development across the United States for the past 14 years, both as a Responsive Classroom presenter and as an independent consultant. She presents at conferences, gives keynote talks, and facilitates customized professional learning for K-12 educators in diverse settings.
You can learn more about Erin and her work on her website. Email Erin directly (erinmooreconsulting@gmail.com) to discuss bringing her to your school.