with Dr. Sara Renzulli
University of Conneticut
Beyond Defiance: Supporting Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) at Home and in the Classroom
In this session, Mark Long, CEO of Bridges Education Group, will sit down with Dr. Sara Renzulli for an in-depth, interview about supporting children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in both home and school settings. Together, they will explore what ODD can look like beyond surface-level defiance, discuss underlying factors that drive challenging behaviors, and share strength-based strategies that foster connection, collaboration, and growth. The discussion will be followed by 15–20 minutes of audience Q&A so parents and educators can engage directly with Dr. Renzulli.
Dr. Sara Renzulli Ph.D., is an assistant professor in residence in the counselor education program at the University of Connecticut. She holds B.A. in history from Union College, an M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Connecticut. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of CT, as well as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and has CT state certification as a school counselor. Her areas of expertise include social and emotional interventions for school counselors, students with disabilities, twice-exceptionality, and school counselors’ roles in the 504 and IEP process. Dr. Renzulli has been in the profession of counseling for over 10 years, serving as both a middle school counselor, and a counselor at the college level. Dr. Renzulli coordinates UConn’s school counseling internship program. She has published a number of articles and book chapters since joining the faculty at UConn, and been involved with several grants in only a few years.