In most schools, when a student struggles with behavioral regulation, teachers are often left to manage the situation alone—balancing the needs of one child against the educational needs of an entire classroom. At Unity Point School, however, a resourceful approach is changing that equation.

"It's very unusual for one school to have its own behavior analyst," explains Kirsten Schaper, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who joined Unity Point's staff full-time this year. "Normally behavior analysts cover entire districts. Unity Point is getting a Cadillac model with me being here all the time."

This investment in a full-time BCBA represents Unity Point's commitment to creating an environment where all students can thrive—including those who struggle with emotional and behavioral regulation.

Second-grade teacher Becky Borowitz, a National Board Certified educator with over 30 years of experience, has witnessed firsthand the difference this approach makes.

"In the past, when I had a student with extreme or challenging behaviors, I had to manage the immediate situation on my own with the limited supports available at that time," Borowitz explains. "What's different this year is that I was able to meet with Kirsten, the principal, the parent, my aide, and the resource teacher before the student arrived at school. Now it's like, 'Okay, this is what we've seen so far. How are we going to move forward?'" This decision is made by the team with Kirsten’s expertise guiding the way.

Schaper's role encompasses working with students who have behavior plans in their IEPs, but extends to any classroom where teachers request assistance. She observes classrooms, collects data on what triggers challenging behaviors, and develops consistent strategies that can be implemented across all school environments.

"If you see a student getting one behavior plan in one area and then a completely different set of expectations in another area, that student starts to be confused," Schaper notes. "If everyone can be consistent, we can communicate that information to everyone the child is working with—that's the best-case scenario."

The benefits extend far beyond the students receiving direct support. Borowitz emphasizes that Schaper's presence has transformed the experience for all students.

"One thing that Kirsten said that I really appreciated was, 'We're here to help the student showing these behaviors, but we also have to be aware of the other children and what could be traumatic to them,'" Borowitz says.

This approach has led to empowering protocols for the entire class. When a student begins to escalate toward potentially unsafe behavior, Borowitz can calmly say, "Scoot your chairs in," and her students quietly line up and exit the room while Schaper works with the struggling student.

"We're teaching those kids that, as a child and even as an adult, you do not have to be around disruptive behavior," Borowitz explains. "Students who witness or experienced peers challenging behaviors in kindergarten and first grade have said, 'I feel safe, I'm happy here.' They're actually embracing the students who have challenges now because they know there is a plan in place to keep everyone safe and able to learn.

Schaper's work doesn't stop at the classroom door. She maintains communication with parents, ensuring they receive immediate updates rather than waiting until the end of the day. She even rides the bus home with students who struggle with transitions, establishing expectations that keep everyone safe.

The program creates a support network that extends throughout the school day. Instead of isolated responses to behavioral crises, Schaper coordinates with social workers, resource teachers, classroom aides, and administrators to ensure consistent approaches everywhere a student goes.

"Before, teachers called special education teachers or the social worker to come help. These professionals would leave the students they were helping to assist classroom teachers. Everybody was getting pulled in an emergency situation," Borowitz recalls. "Now I feel like I can teach and children can learn because my environment is safe."

As Unity Point continues this innovative approach, the investment in a full-time behavior  Analyst demonstrates the school's commitment to supporting all students—creating an environment where both struggling students and their classmates can thrive.