Connections over Compliance: Transform Discipline, Relationships and Learning | October 8, 2026
This one-day experience weaves together Applied Educational Neuroscience and a Tier One (MTSS for Adults) approach to center the adult nervous system as the foundation for teaching, discipline, and relational practices.
Explore how the state of our nervous system shapes our perceptions, interactions and responses with children, youth and one another. Through the lens of emotional contagion, examine how adult regulation, or dysregulation, impacts behavior, connection and learning across environments.
Grounded in Applied Educational Neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory, this training supports a shift from compliance-based discipline toward relational, nervous system-aligned practices. Learn to interpret behaviors as adaptive responses while building strategies that cultivate safety, reduce power struggles and support co-regulation in everyday routines and interactions.
Participants will:
- Understand how adult nervous system states influence behavior, relationships and learning
- Reframe student behavior as adaptive responses to stress and adversity
- Recognize the impact of emotional contagion and adult presence
- Practice regulation strategies, including awareness, pause and supportive inner dialogue
- Apply co-regulation practices that reduce conflict and support connection
- Integrate nervous-system-aligned strategies into routines, transitions and daily interactions
Dr. Lori Desautels began teaching undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education at Butler University in 2016. She was previously an Assistant Professor at Marian University in Indianapolis for eight years, where she started the Educational Neuroscience Symposium, which is now in its 15th year and has reached thousands of educators. Dr. Desautels focuses on teaching her students how to apply social and relational neurosciences to education. She does this by incorporating the tier one trauma accommodating Applied Educational Neuroscience framework, along with its learning principles and practices, into her Butler coursework.
The Applied Educational Neuroscience Certification, developed by Lori in 2016, serves educators, counselors, clinicians and administrators working with children and adolescents who have experienced adversity and trauma. This certification has reached thousands of educators globally. As a course partner at the Polyvagal Institute, Lori collaborates with Dr. Stephen Porges to teach courses integrating polyvagal theory into schools, organizations and communities for educators and mental health professionals.
Lori’s articles are published in Edutopia, Brain Bulletin and Mind Body Spirit international magazine. She was also published in the Brain Research Journal for her work in the fifth-grade classrooms during a course release position with Washington Township Schools. Lori continues her work co-teaching in the K-12 schools integrating her applied research into classroom procedures and transition, preparing the nervous system for learning and felt safety. Her third book, Connections over Compliance: Rewiring our Perceptions of Discipline, was released in late 2020, and Intentional Neuroplasticity: Moving Our Nervous Systems and Educational System Toward Post-Traumatic Growth, her fourth book, was released in January 2023. Her new book/manual titled Body and Brain Brilliance: A Manual to cultivate awareness and Practices for our Nervous System was published in 2024. Lori’s work, presentation videos and latest research can also be found on her website www.revelationsineducation.com.
For additional information about this event, please contact Brian Lankheitblankheit@edplus.org.
Cancellations made more than 10 business days before the event start date will incur a 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellations made 10 business days or less are not eligible for a refund.
If an event is cancelled due to inclement weather or low enrollment, a full refund will be issued.
No-shows will be billed in full.
The cancellation policy applies to all forms of payment including Learning Service Credits.