The mission of New Directions in Discipline is to help schools create safe, positive learning environments so that teachers and students can focus on learning and success. New Directions In Discipline is an educational consulting company that has been in existence since 1992. It's developers, Spencer Clements and Gary Sova, are inner city educators who have worked in the downtown area of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada for over twenty-five years.

The guiding philosophy that Gary and Spencer bring to their work is the belief that all children can be successful in school and that the key to this success is for schools and parents to work together as partners. An important part of the message that Spencer and Gary offer is devoted to improving communication between home and school. Enhanced communication improves the often adversarial relationship that exists between parents and teachers. New Directions in Discipline has developed specific behavior management strategies that are both classroom and school-wide in nature. Both presenters have extensive experience in using the techniques that are shared. Gary and Spencer have found that a specific set of school rules, effective communication skills for staff and, a clearly defined behavior management process form the basis for a safe school. When these are combined with a crisis response team, a comprehensive security plan, the use of mediation, and conflict resolution, the essential components are present to create a safe and positive school environment.