PVI Presents
A One-Day Summit for Educators:
The Nervous System
in the Classroom
This event has already occurred.
Please check back for future events especially
for Educators!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
11:00am - 5:00pm ET
Educators, mental health workers, helping professionals, and school-based personnel:
Don't miss this opportunity to build capacity, inspire culture change, and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive educational community by understanding the power of human connection and the nervous system.
If you are unable to join us for this workshop live in real time, your registration includes access to the recordings for self-paced viewing.
About Your Speakers & Facilitators
Dr. Lori Desautels
Lori Desautels, PhD is a PVI Course Partner and has been an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016 where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate programs in the College of Education. Lori is a former special education teacher and school counselor. In 2016, Lori created a nine-hour graduate certification at Butler University in Applied Educational Neuroscience/Brain and Trauma. Lori Is the author of four books including her latest book, “Brain and Body Brilliance," published in September 2024. Lori co-authored the social and emotional competencies for the state of Indiana and created a 100-day educational Neuroscience toolkit for educators worldwide. Lori writes for Edutopia and co-teaches in schools where she shares the application of her educational neuroscience research in K-12 classrooms.
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Dr. Niki Elliott
Niki Elliott, PhD is a PVI Course Partner and clinical professor of neurodiversity and embodied equity at the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences and is an author, speaker, and trainer in the fields of neurodiversity, mindfulness, holistic education, and healing-centered engagement. Niki previously served as the Director of the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning and Wellness at the University of La Verne’s La Fetra College of Education. An experienced educator, Niki has taught students of all ages, from elementary school through university level over the past 25 years. She presently teaches educational neurobiology, neurodiversity and mindfulness for graduate students earning a master’s degree in Special
Education. Niki is also the founder of the Mindful Leaders Project, a program designed to help teachers, school leaders, parents and other education professionals increase their own personal well-being and social-emotional regulation skills to support children’s academic success. Dr. Elliott also serves on the PVI Board of Directors.
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Guest Speakers Angie Zara and Melissa Zientara will highlight Educator Practices.
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When a child or adolescent is reacting from survival states, this is dysregulation in the nervous system. To blame a child for behaviors that arise from dysregulation is like blaming the night for being dark.
-Dr. Lori Desautels
For school-based personnel, educators, social workers, counselors, occupational therapists, and administrators, and those in the helping professions.
Non-conventional K-12 education providers including parents, homeschooling and hybrid school communities also welcome!
Questions about this One-Day Summit?
Contact us at events@polyvagal.org