General Education + RESOURCE Programming

Project Thrive

Build an inclusive, proactive classroom that supports students with behavioral and mental health needs.

On Demand
Program Development


What is
Project Thrive?

This four-month course is designed to equip general education teachers with the tools and strategies necessary to effectively support students with high-incidence emotional, behavioral, and mental health disabilities. You will explore practical approaches to creating a positive, inclusive classroom environment while addressing challenging behaviors and promoting student well-being. The course covers evidence-based interventions, trauma-informed practices, and proactive classroom leadership techniques that foster engagement, reduce disruptions, and build strong student-teacher relationships. By the end of the course, you will feel empowered to implement personalized supports, collaborate with colleagues, and improve outcomes for all students.

THIS PROJECT IS FOR:
  • General education teachers
  • Special education resource and co-teachers
  • Behavior specialists and instructional coordinators

Strands

Curate your own learning path through one, some, or all of the strands.

Resources

Learn through lectures, podcasts, ebooks, case studies, and more!

HLPs

All strands are based on CEC's High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities.

On Demand

Learn at your own pace, on your own time, from anywhere on any device.
Project THRIVE

Start today as our newest Thriver!

  • Audience: Teachers
  • Level: Progressive
  • Learning: 23+ hours
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ON DEMAND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Project Thrive is a 24-module professional development program designed to enhance classroom management skills by improving student engagement which has been shown to improve student behavior and reduce disruptive classroom behaviors.

  • 6 Key Themes
  • 24 Modules
  • 24 Instructional Videos
  • 24 podcast episodes
  • 24 eBook References

Planning Your Path:

Each module has four components: instructional videos, podcasts, eBooks, and implementation resources. This supports learners with differing preferred learning modalities. Visual learners may prefer the videos and eBooks whereas auditory learners may prefer the podcasts and videos while kinesthetic learners may prefer the printables. The design of this project is intended to provide resources for all professional learners to progress through your program development as you're ready for it.

To schedule your time to process the modules, consider the following:
  • each module’s instructional videos run about 33 minutes (the shortest is 26 minutes, the longest is 43 minutes),
  • each module’s podcasts run about 15 minutes (the shortest is 10 minutes, the longest is 20 minutes), and
  • each eBook should take about 11 minutes to process depending upon your reading speed.
You will need around 60 minutes to process the module content (the shortest is 52 minutes and the longest is 74 minutes) and then time after that to consider how to implement the ideas from the module into your instructional day.

While the project is designed to allow progression through the modules at one’s own pace and in a sequence each educator deems most appropriate for their individual needs, the following sequence is offered as a suggested progression through the modules.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in four months (one semester), you will need to complete six modules per month.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in six months, you will need to complete four modules per month or roughly one per week.
  • If your goal is to complete the project in eight months (one traditional school year), you will need to complete three modules per month.
This chart is our recommended pacing guidance. If you're not sure, we recommend you start with six months and speed up or slow down from there.
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STRAND ORGANIZATION

What will I be learning?

T

Teach

We explore how to establish clear expectations and routines to guide student behavior and foster effective learning.

H

Help

We explore how to guide students to stay attentive and engaged while fostering focus and meaningful learning.

R

Reinforce

We explore how to incentivize positive behaviors to motivate students toward becoming their best learners.

I

Intervene

We explore how to use proactive systems to redirect students toward positive choices that enhance learning.

V

Variety

We explore how to engage students with diverse instructional practices to minimize disruptions and boost learning.

E

Empower

We explore how to empower the entire learning community to make positive choices that enrich the educational experience.
PROJECT THRIVE

Practical learning experiences!

Teach
Help
Reinforce
Intervene
Variety
Empower
TEACH

Balancing Structure with Support for Divergent Needs

Foundations
of Flow

Design and teach consistent classroom routines and procedures through direct instruction, modeling, practice opportunities, and positive reinforcement to maximize instructional time and create a predictable learning environment.

Create opportunities for student autonomy by incorporating choice, fostering independence, and promoting student ownership of learning to enhance engagement, problem-solving skills, and intrinsic motivation.

Prevention
Over Reaction

Critically analyze the effectiveness of classroom norms, procedures, and rules over time, using data and reflection to make evidence-based adjustments that respond to evolving classroom needs.

Effectively break down, model, and provide practice opportunities for classroom expectations, demonstrating how to explicitly teach both behavioral and academic skills.

Classroom
Choreography

Design classroom structures that meaningfully incorporate student voice and choice, analyzing how these approaches enhance student engagement, ownership, and intrinsic motivation.

Create and implement multiple methods for gathering student feedback on classroom practices, demonstrating how to use this data to inform instructional decisions.

Mind, Heart,
and Action

Analyze the relationship between student engagement and classroom management, evaluating how behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement impacts the effectiveness of routines, procedures, incentives, and consequences.

Create strategies that foster student ownership of classroom routines and procedures, promoting student responsibility and engagement in maintaining a positive learning environment.
REINFORCE

Reshaping a Responsive Behavior Management System

Beyond
Rewards

Analyze and differentiate between positive and negative reinforcement strategies, evaluating their comparative effectiveness in promoting sustainable behavioral change in educational environments.

Evaluate the relationship between positive reinforcement, natural consequences, and long-term behavioral change, using critical analysis to determine optimal combinations for different student populations.

Rapport, Rewards,
and Results

Analyze effective classroom management techniques that establish clear behavioral expectations while maintaining a positive learning environment.

Evaluate differentiated reinforcement strategies that address diverse student motivations, including extrinsic, intrinsic, and social reinforcers.

Presence
with Purpose

Analyze dynamic reinforcement strategies that adapt to individual student needs, varying frequency and intensity based on student proficiency, subject matter, and behavioral context.

Evaluate consistent yet individualized reinforcement approaches that balance fairness with personalized student support to enhance intrinsic motivation.

Accentuate
the Positive

Evaluate how consistently applying the 4:1 ratio contributes to students' intrinsic motivation, self-regulation, and long-term academic and social success.

Understand how to implement varied forms of positive reinforcement (verbal, tangible, privileges) tailored to different student behavior profiles.
INTERVENE

Designing Strategic Support Systems That Work

Pivot
Points

Analyze the multiple purposes of classroom interventions and evaluate how these purposes contribute to effective classroom management.

Design targeted-group and student-centered interventions based on assessment data, demonstrating the ability to customize supports for diverse student needs.

Redirect
and Resolve

Understand redirection techniques focusing on specific behaviors rather than engaging in power struggles to maintain classroom authority while avoiding unnecessary confrontation.

Develop a structured approach to behavioral intervention that includes appropriate repetition of redirections and consistent application of fair consequences when necessary.

Stay Ahead,
Step In

Analyze and identify classroom behavior patterns that require group-targeted interventions, utilizing data collection tools to develop evidence-based strategies for improving classroom culture.

Evaluate the Effectiveness of group-targeted interventions using multiple assessment methods to identify patterns and make informed adjustments to behavioral support systems.

Nuisance
to Notable

Critically evaluate the relationship between preventative measures and interventions in classroom management, analyzing how this balance impacts instructional time, student engagement, and academic outcomes.

Analyze the structure and purpose of the three-tier intervention model while evaluating how each tier addresses student needs with increasing levels of personalization.
VARIETY

Personalizing Approaches for Every Student's Success

Classroom
Kaleidoscope

Analyze and differentiate between various teaching styles, evaluating their effectiveness for diverse student populations.

Evaluate and implement appropriate behavior management techniques based on the level of classroom disruption and individual student motivations while maintaining ethical decision-making authority.

Tailored
Teaching

Analyze differentiation strategies for content delivery by evaluating diverse instructional methods to meet the varied learning needs of students.

Evaluate and select appropriate differentiation techniques for whole group instruction that balance traditional teaching methods with innovative approaches for personalized learning.

Motivation
Matchmaking

Develop a consistent yet flexible classroom management system incorporating differentiated reinforcement while maintaining fairness and predictability.

Critically assess the balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation when applying reinforcement strategies, including the potential benefits and limitations of each approach.

Spaces
That Speak

Analyze and evaluate how different classroom layouts impact student engagement, behavior, and learning outcomes by designing a classroom floor plan that incorporates multiple special-purpose areas.

Develop strategies to promote student autonomy and choice within the classroom environment, including methods for organizing supplies, technology, and collaborative spaces.
EMPOWER

Building Trust Through Empathetic Communication

Unlocking
Potential

Understand how to use positive, constructive language when providing feedback to learners, analyzing how their communication impacts student motivation and growth mindset.

Develop collaborative approaches to establishing classroom rules, routines, and procedures that promote student ownership and accountability.

Speaking Success
Into Being

Evaluate communication approaches that build positive relationships, foster student accountability, and promote growth mindsets.

Develop clear, specific, and realistic behavioral expectations that account for diverse student backgrounds and learning needs.

Talk That
Transforms

Develop an empowering classroom environment that acknowledges diverse student experiences and supports closing learning gaps.

Analyze the impact of disrupted learning experiences on student skill development and develop intervention strategies.

Reclaiming
the Classroom

Design learning experiences that balance short, focused instruction with peer interaction opportunities, creating lesson plans that promote active engagement and deeper understanding.

Transform traditional teaching phrases into empowering alternatives that promote student agency, critical thinking, and a growth mindset.
HELP

Creating Opportunities to Respond for All Learners

Minds
On Fire

Break down complex tasks into clear, achievable goals and develop systems to track their progress, demonstrating metacognitive awareness of their learning journey.

Identify the unique learning needs of students and select appropriate learning strategies that align with their individual learning styles.

Cultivating
Connection

Analyze and create classroom layouts that promote collaboration, inclusivity, and diverse learning preferences, incorporating flexible seating arrangements and group configurations.

Construct and implement interactive techniques that ensure equitable participation from all students, including strategies for engaging diverse learners through technology and varied discussion formats.

Participation
Pathways

Design active learning activities that promote student engagement, demonstrating their ability to shift classroom focus from passive to active participation.

Develop lesson components that incorporate student interests to enhance engagement, demonstrating the ability to connect content to real-world applications.

Deciphering
Disruption

Apply multiple engagement strategies (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral) to increase student motivation and reduce disruptive behaviors in diverse learning environments.

Identify the functions of disruptive behaviors through systematic observation and analysis, developing evidence-based hypotheses about behavioral triggers and motivations.

Step Into Your Expertise

Start today, learn at your own pace - Project Thrive.

Who am I learning from?

LEAD AUTHOR

Ann Potter, MSM, MEd

Ann Potter is an instructional coach specializing in early childhood development, play-based instruction, and early elementary instructional practices. She has been a reading specialist, general education co-teacher, inclusion teacher for students with emotional disorders, extended school day lead teacher, grade-level technology lead, and paraprofessional supporting elementary technology instruction, but she started her career as a software engineer for a computer consulting firm. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and has continued to support her community as a reading tutor and daycare provider. Ann is an Instructional Coach for Early Learners with her Bachelors in Business Administration, Master of Science in Management, and Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.
COAUTHOR

Candace McCoy, RBT

Candace McCoy is a school-based behavior technician and assistant organizational development specialist specializing in social, emotional, and behavioral challenges experienced by preteen and adolescent student populations as well as organizational behavior management. She has been a restaurant manager, travel agent, bartender, and paraprofessional in the private and public sectors. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family of young men. Candace is a Registered Behavior Technician with college coursework in education and interpretation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question that's not listed? Just ask!

What type of program is this designed for?

Project Thrive is specifically designed for educators in general education and resource classrooms serving students with a variety of different instructional, social, and behavioral needs through accommodated grade level instruction and tiered interventions.

How is this program delivered?

The project includes a series of self-paced modules that combine lectures, podcasts, and ebooks into a holistic self-guided implementation experience.

What materials will I receive?

You'll receive comprehensive program design ebooks and ongoing access to the growing resource library into the years to come.

Is this appropriate for new teachers?

Yes, while experienced teachers will benefit from the advanced strategies, the sequential learning is structured to support educators at all experience levels in developing effective programs.

I have a whole team I'd like to enroll. Do you offer group rates?

Yes! Many districts have started choosing Project Thrive for their New Teacher Orientation cohorts to implement throughout the school year. District partners also receive a 30% discount at TLC University. Contact us directly to explore what options may be available to you.

What is the refund policy?

Given the self-guided nature of this project experience, refunds are issued on a percentage completion basis within the first 90 days of enrollment.