What is
The Change Conversation?
The Change Conversation is a 5‑day Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Stages of Change training program built specifically for schools. It combines:
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Pre‑work modules so staff arrive with shared language.
A 5‑day, practice‑heavy training for 25–40 staff.
A built‑in 90‑day pilot focused on 1 or 2 priority processes.
3 months of follow‑up coaching and implementation support.
The goal is simple: help your staff have better conversations in the moments that matter most.
The problem
this program solves
Your staff is already having the conversations that matter most, about missed classes, late work, academic probation, behavior, mental health, and staying enrolled. Most of them were never given a concrete, evidence‑based way to handle those conversations, so they rely on reminders, warnings, and advice that don’t always work.
You’ve probably tried workshops on SEL, trauma, or communication. They were inspiring in the moment, but it’s hard to see what actually changed in day‑to‑day practice or key processes like probation meetings or re‑enrollment outreach. The Change Conversation exists to close that gap.
Outcomes for your school
By the end of the program, you can expect:
A core group of 25–40 staff who can describe and demonstrate MI spirit, OARS, and Stages of Change in real student scenarios.
One or two key processes (e.g., academic probation, 9th-grade on-track, re-enrollment outreach, chronic absenteeism) redesigned with MI-aligned workflows and scripts.
A 90-day pilot launched and supported, with simple indicators to discuss with leadership (usage, student responses, early metrics).
A concise campus playbook capturing the new workflow, stage-check tools, and conversation swaps your staff helped create.
Staff stories and student examples you can share with your board, cabinet, or funders to show progress.
The goal is simple: help your staff have better conversations in the moments that matter most.
What’s included
(structure of the program)
Preparing for Change Pre‑work modules
Before the in‑person days, participants complete 2 - 4 hours of short, asynchronous modules that introduce:
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The basics of Motivational Interviewing.
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The Stages of Change in youth and adult contexts.
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Common school scenarios where MI can help (attendance, probation, behavior, advising).
This means you can spend most of the 5‑day training practicing rather than catching everyone up on vocabulary.
Built‑in 90‑day pilot
Within or immediately after the training, we design and support a 90‑day pilot in 1 or 2 processes:
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2 90‑minute virtual design sessions to map current conversations and build MI‑aligned versions.
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2 60‑minute skills labs for the pilot team to practice and get feedback.
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A 1–2 page pilot playbook with workflow diagram, stage‑check script, conversation swaps, and simple metrics.
5 in‑person training days
Five days can be consecutive or spread over the term.
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Day 1 – Motivational Interviewing Foundations
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Day 2 – Stages of Change in real cases
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Day 3 – Advanced MI skills
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Day 4 – From conversations to systems
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Day 5 – Fidelity and sustainability
Throughout, staff practice on their students’ situations rather than generic case studies.
3 months of follow‑up support
The key to solidifying any new skill is continued support and education. To keep the work alive after the training:
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3 90‑minute group coaching calls for key staff.
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3 60‑minute leadership implementation calls to refine workflows, troubleshoot barriers, and review early data.
For a more in-depth look at each facet of this training program please review the program syllabus by clicking the link below.
Who this is for
This program is designed for:
Ideal decision‑makers include principals, deans, directors of advising, student affairs leaders, and anyone responsible for retention, student success, or school climate.
You do not need previous MI experience. You do need a willingness to look honestly at how key conversations are happening now and to support staff in trying something different.
K–12 schools and districts
Community colleges and universities
Career, technical, and for‑profit schools
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to bring
The Change Conversation
to your campus?
If you’re serious about improving how adults and students talk about change, this 5‑day program gives you a clear, evidence‑aligned way to start.
We’ll use a short discovery call to discuss your context, outline what a 5‑day training and a 90‑day pilot could look like for your school, and confirm whether the timing and scope make sense.