BOOST Master Classes are classes offered by world-class experts of a specific discipline in order to develop skills in fundamental concepts and stimulate thought in a specific area. BOOST Master Classes may include lectures, panels, research findings, promising practices, case studies, real-world issues, and valuable industry expertise by respected leaders in their field. Get up close and personal in one or all of our Master Classes. 

Additional fees ($40 per class) are associated with BOOST Master Classes. We highly recommend that you pre-register for Master Classes when you register for the BOOST Conference. We cannot guarantee that on-site registration for these classes will be available.

*Please note that there is an additional fee of $40 to attend each Master Class. You will have an opportunity to register for Master Classes when you register online for the conference. Already registered and want to add a Master Class? Log in to your online account and add one or all of the Master Classes. If you have questions about registration for these classes, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Interested in facilitating a BOOST Master Class, or have an idea for a Master Class topic or instructor? Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with creative ideas.

Wednesday, April 28

10:30 AM-12:15 PM

Thursday, April 29

11:00 AM-12:00 PM 
*Space is limited. Pre-registration is highly recommended. 

Beyond the Behavior: Turning Connection Into Action
Dr. Tommie Mabry, Author, Speaker, Scholar, and Advocate, Tommie Mabry Company, Ridgeland, MS

Understanding the story behind a young person's behavior is only the beginning. The next question is: What do we do with that understanding?

In this highly interactive breakout session, Dr. Tommie Mabry takes participants from awareness to action. Building on the importance of perspective, participants will explore practical, relationship-centered strategies for connecting with young people who may be disengaged, resistant, frustrated, or impacted by trauma and adversity.

Rather than focusing only on correcting behavior, participants will learn how to identify what behavior may be communicating, respond in ways that preserve relationships, and create environments where young people feel safe enough to engage, grow, and succeed.

Through real-world scenarios, reflection, discussion, and practical application, participants will examine their responses to challenging behaviors and develop strategies they can use immediately in classrooms, after-school programs, mentoring relationships, and community settings.

Participants Will Learn How To:

• Identify what may be happening beneath challenging or disruptive behavior.
• Respond to behavior without damaging the relationship with the young person.
• Use relationship-building strategies to increase trust, participation, and engagement.
• Recognize common triggers and understand how trauma and adversity can affect a young person's response to adults and authority.
• Apply practical strategies for de-escalating difficult situations.
• Create a culture of belonging where young people know they are seen, heard, and valued.
• Move from simply managing behavior to developing the whole young person.
• Turn everyday interactions into opportunities for connection, growth, and transformation.
• Develop practical strategies for responding to challenging youth behaviors.
• Strengthen their ability to build authentic and trusting relationships with young people.
• Increase their understanding of the connection between behavior, trauma, environment, and unmet needs.
• Practice approaches that promote engagement, accountability, resilience, and belonging.
• Create an actionable plan for applying relationship-centered strategies in their own programs, schools, and communities.

The Breakout Experience

This is not a sit-and-get session. Participants will have opportunities to examine real-life scenarios, discuss common challenges, reflect on their own practices, and determine how they would respond when faced with difficult situations involving young people.

The goal is simple: move from knowing better to doing differently.

When we learn to see beyond the behavior, we stop asking, "How do I control this young person?" and start asking, "How do I connect with this young person?"

That shift can change everything.

Master Classes contact

Questions about BOOST Master Classes? Please contact: 

Tia Quinn, Founder & CEO
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