Intentional Neuroplasticity: Moving Our Nervous Systems and Educational System Toward Post-Traumatic Growth

Life changing book. Every teacher needs to read this!

The media could not be loaded. This is an absolute must read for anyone who works in education! As we have moved through a storm of a crisis called COVID, educators are now facing challenges in classroom behaviors that put a spotlight on how we are showing up to serve students and what we need to know to understand what the behavior is communicating to us.As a special educator for over 27 years, my home library is filled with books to continue to learn and grow. This book is by far THE one that has added the greatest value and is written in such a meaningful way that my highlighter is in overdrive!Dr. Lori Desautel’s passion to add value to the field of education extends beyond all her work at Butler University, to all the schools who have had her speak and train all around the United States and beyond, to these pages of Intentional Neuroplasticity, a paradigm-shifting read!Every chapter fills you with a greater understanding of neuroscience, psychological stress, trauma and it’s application into daily practice as an educator. A bonus, the charts and diagrams within the book are all available to download, as well as the beautiful images!It doesn’t matter if you have been in education 1 year or 30 years, if you are invested in the well-being and care of your students, you will want this book!

Our teachers and principals have been reading and discussing this content in "Intentional Neuroplasticity: Moving our Nervous Systems and Educational System Toward Post Traumatic Growth" and are now implementing changes that are having profound impacts on our schools and classrooms! The inspiring examples of educational neuroscience included throughout this book, are so fully applicable in our P-20 schools! The explanations of the critical mindset shifts needed to meet students and families right where they are, the powerful ideas shared, in detail, depicting a new lens for discipline through coregulation, and the overwhelming research showing the power of fostering collective care, compassion, relationships, and developing unconditional love and acceptance for ourselves, our teams and our students! This content helps us to heal through relationships toward post-traumatic growth and consistently build stronger connections! These are all such critical parts of this beautiful, inspiring, and timely source of wisdom!This book has already been powerfully transformational in my own teaching and training, and has been, as well, for many of my colleagues, on so many levels!

This is one of the most important books I have ever read as a teacher. I learned so much about how to help all students, but particularly, our most dysregulated students. I think every teacher should read this. It's already helped me so much in class. Lots of practical materials in the reference section at the back.

This book is an amazing asset to any educator and honestly, to any parent. Once again, Lori educates with compassion and practicality. As a mom of 5 kids with varying levels of trauma histories and diagnosis, I am always advocating for their nervous system needs. This book is a wonderful resource- I always have an extra copy on hand to give away. Lori presents the information in a digestible way- she does not water down the information, however it is not academically heavy. She consistently weaves in practical strategies and reflections. There are also stories/sharings from educators throughout the book. These help to bridge between theory and practical application. This book is like having a guide with you on your journey.

Teaching has never felt harder, and this book helps to create awareness + reframe the sensations we are feeling as educators, and restores hope for staff/admin alike that are experiencing chronic burnout and stress. Dr. Desautels is on the ground in the classroom living and breathing this work with her full heart and soul. If you are feeling lost, questioning your ability to manage student behavior, as well as self-regulating and taking care of yourself, this book is for you. Dr.Desautels has changed me as a teacher and as a human. I am so grateful to be studying and learning beside her in cohort 8 of her Applied Educational Neuroscience program.

Dr. Lori Desautels is EXTREMELY AMAZING!!! The information given in this book and in all of her studies is key to the future of learning and working with our beloved students. I have recommended and bought this book for some of my most wonderful colleagues and they have recommended it to many others. PLEASE make this book part of your professional development. It is ESSENTIAL!!! Thank you Dr. Desautels!!!

Dr. Desautels lays a strong foundation of why it is important to apply neuroscience understanding in education and families. She makes the topic of neuroplasticity approachable and enjoyable to read. I appreciated the practical tools of language to use with youth and activities for engagement.