Expert Instruction Podcast
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August 4, 2026

Crisis Prevention Bonus Series Ep 3: Who Owns De-Escalation? Rethinking Adult Systems in School Safety and PBIS

Dr. Ambra Green and Dr. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen join Expert Instruction to examine who owns de-escalation and how PBIS-aligned adult systems, proactive planning, and shared responsibility create safer, more supportive schools.

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This episode is part of a special Crisis Prevention Series produced in partnership with the Center on PBIS Crisis Prevention Workgroup, where we explore how PBIS systems can support schools in preventing, preparing for, and responding to crises.

De-escalation is often framed as something students must do. But effective de-escalation also depends on the adults, environments, and systems surrounding them.

Dr. Ambra Green and Dr. Kathleen Strickland-Cohen join us to discuss how policies and everyday adult practices can prevent escalation before a crisis occurs. They also share PBIS strategies school leaders can use to strengthen prevention and create safer, more supportive learning environments.

  • Ambra is an associate professor of special education at The University of Texas at Arlington. Her research focuses on students of color with and at risk for disabilities, inequitable school practices, behavior disorders, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and educators’ use of evidence-based practices.
  • Kathleen is an associate professor of special education at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on inclusive educational environments, efficient approaches to training school professionals to design individualized behavior plans, and strengthening family-professional partnerships within PBIS.

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Megan Cave

About

Megan Cave

Megan Cave is a member of the PBISApps Marketing and Communication team. She is the writer behind the user manuals, scripted video tutorials, and news articles for PBISApps. She also writes a monthly article for Teach by Design and contributes to its accompanying Expert Instruction podcast episode. Megan has completed four half marathons – three of which happened unintentionally – and in all likelihood, will run another in the future.

About

Danielle Triplett

Danielle Triplett, M.Ed., is a Senior Research Assistant and member of the PBISApps training team. Danielle is a passionate educator and researcher dedicated to serving her community and advocating for the best interests of children and adolescents. Her areas of research and academic pursuits focus on improving educational equity, alternatives to exclusionary discipline, using data for decision-making, multi-tiered systems of support for behavior and mental health, and educational coaching. Prior to joining the University of Oregon, Danielle served as a district PBIS coach and a middle school language arts teacher. Outside the office, you can find her snowboarding, baking chocolate chip cookies, and daydreaming about interior design.

About

Janelle Hughes

Janelle Williams Hughes currently serves as a subject matter expert and Crisis Prevention Workgroup member for the Center on PBIS as well as a Resource and Product Development Team lead for the T4PA Center. Prior to these roles, Janelle served as project director for the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center. With more than 20 years of experience supporting education-focused initiatives and more than 16 years supporting federal education contracts, Janelle brings deep expertise in school safety, crisis prevention, and emergency management, which she leverages regularly to translate complex policy and research into actionable tools and guidance for schools.