The Hero Makers

06/02/2026

Don’t miss this GREAT opportunity!

🚨 FREE WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨
Behavior. Biology. Breakthrough.

The experts Karen’s community has been asking for are joining us LIVE on June 9th 7 pm CST!

Link to Register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UdmkghFeTHOvaskKXKzDqg #/registration

Karen Mayer Cunningham is sitting down with two of the most sought-after voices in trauma-informed, neuro-affirming special education: Doris and Rick Bowman of Team Bowman.

If you have ever sat at an IEP table feeling like no one truly understood your child…
If you have fought for supports that never seem to stick…
If you have watched behavior plans fail again and again…

This conversation is for you.

Doris and Rick Bowman bring more than 50 years of combined experience working with students who are often labeled “too much,” “too complicated,” or “a danger to others.” They have served as educators, behavior specialists, administrators, consultants, coaches, and advocates — and they understand this work both professionally and personally.

Their message is powerful:

Behavior is biology, not defiance.

When a child melts down, shuts down, or acts out, something is happening in the brain and body that rules, rewards, and consequences alone cannot fix.

During this live webinar, Karen, Doris, and Rick will discuss what schools often miss when it comes to behavior, trauma, neuroscience, FBAs, behavior plans, and meaningful support for students with disabilities.

Doris and Rick are the authors of:

📘 Your FBA is a Fantasy!
A guidebook to creating truly trauma-informed, neuro-affirming Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Support Plans

📘 Facing the Fantasy, Finding the Way Forward
Every Educator’s guide to moving beyond behavior management to lasting behavioral change using neuroscience-aligned, trauma-informed practices

Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis, fighting for an appropriate placement, questioning why the current plan is not working, or trying to better understand your child’s behavior, this webinar was created for you.

✨ Join us June 9th 7 pm CST.
Your child’s story deserves to be understood.

05/23/2026

It feels good to know you’re not alone in this parenting journey. A great opportunity to connect 💕

Parenting can feel isolating sometimes, but support and connection can make all the difference. 💚

Parent2Parent is a FREE virtual support group for parents and caregivers looking for encouragement, understanding, and community with others who “get it.”

Join us from the comfort of home as we connect, share experiences, and support one another through the ups and downs of parenting.

🗓 June 10
⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM
💻 Held virtually on Zoom

Because no parent should have to navigate it all alone. ❤️

05/21/2026

Our Philosophy here at The Hero Makers Don’t miss our upcoming Essential Foundations Training!

Mel Robbins & Dr. Stuart Ablon, Ph.D. discuss a science-backed approach that helps you understand the people in your life on a deeper level.

05/14/2026

Well said.

A good day is not the same as a compliant day. Too often, people with intellectual disabilities are praised for being “good” simply because they followed directions and caused no problems. Compliance may make support easier, but it does not tell us whether the person felt happy, respected, or heard. Doing everything you are told is not the same as living a meaningful life.
..

ID: Title reads: Remember: For people with intellectual disabilities compliance is not the same as a good day. Image shows a professional-looking person talking to a support staff person. The speech bubble reads: “He had a really good day today.”
Person with an intellectual disability with a thought bubble: “I did everything you told me to.”

05/13/2026

Curious about Samara Learning Center? Check out their Garden Party!

05/09/2026

Don’t miss your chance to pre-register 💗🥰

✨ BEAM Extended Learning Program Open Enrollment is Almost Here! ✨

Registration for the 2026/27 school year will open:

📅 Monday, May 11
⏰ 9:00 AM

Families interested in enrolling should complete the intake form, which will be posted on our website and social media Monday morning. Current families will need to re-enroll and we will send out intake forms Monday morning!

At BEAM, we believe every child deserves a place where they feel safe, connected, supported, and valued for who they are. No exceptions. 💛

We are honored to continue building a community where students can grow socially, emotionally, and academically while experiencing true belonging.

We cannot wait for another amazing year together! 🦋

SEL BendOregon

04/25/2026

Love these tools 💗

Many children are not reacting to what is happening now - they are reacting to what has happened before. Trauma changes how a child’s brain and body respond to stress. Their nervous system stays on high alert, scanning for danger, even when they are safe. This is why small situations can lead to big reactions. What looks like anger, avoidance, shutdown or people-pleasing is often a trauma response - fight, flight, freeze or fawn. These are not choices. They are automatic survival patterns shaped by past experiences such as neglect, abuse, loss or ongoing instability.

When adults see behaviour without understanding trauma, children can be labelled as challenging or attention-seeking. In reality, many are trying to cope with fear, shame, overwhelm or a deep need to feel safe. Real support starts when adults respond with calm, consistency and connection, not punishment. Feeling safe in relationships is what helps the brain settle and allows children to learn, trust and regulate again.

Free CHILDREN’S TRAUMA RESPONSES WHEEL – FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, FAWN BEHAVIOUR POSTER

LIKE the photo and comment "TRAUMA" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

04/22/2026

Guess what!?! We have another In Person Think Kids Essential Foundations: Collaborative Problem Solving©️class coming up May 28th & 29th come join us! A few new tools before the last dizzying weeks of school and be ready for a fun summer ahead.

03/22/2026

This is a great info-graphic! We hear this SO often. It is not the same.

A reward is NOT the same as a paycheck!

Re-posting as a friendly reminder that it is a false equivalence.

This infographic was made with the input from this community, and I am so grateful for your input.