Marg has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her services to education, both locally and internationally. She consults with public and private sector businesses and organisations to enhance workplace relationships and manage high-level conflict and inappropriate behaviour. She is committed to improving the way people relate to each other in schools, workplaces, and other community groups by providing processes that allow deeply negative feelings to be gradually transformed into cooperation. She strongly suggests that as relationships are restored, job satisfaction, morale, and productivity can improve. This commitment to healthy relationships can also be found in her extensive work with schools to improve the way they work with young people in responding to wrongdoing, creating healthier and safer communities. Joe Brummer has been dedicated to Trauma-Informed Restorative Practices/Justice since 2008, during which he has facilitated hundreds of circles, mediations, and community conferences. Over the past 17 years, he has trained thousands of individuals in these transformative practices, including educators, parents, workplace professionals, diversion staff and volunteers, and community members. Joe is the author of the best-selling book *Building A Trauma-Informed Restorative School: Skills and Approaches to Improve Culture and Behavior* (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2020), and is also the co-author, alongside RJ pioneer Margaret Thorsborne, of *Becoming a Trauma-Informed Restorative Educator: Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behavior* (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024). Joe is a member of the adjunct faculty at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, where he teaches the course *Peacebuilding Skills: Dialogue, Trauma & Restorative Justice*. He has appeared on dozens of podcasts and webinars and has presented at national and international conferences. Joe has completed the certification course in Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education and is a member of the Attachment and Trauma Network’s Training Collaborative.

Greer Kharidi is dedicated to supporting teachers and school staff to create calm, regulated classrooms through neuroscience fundamentals. With a background of 15 years in education—including both teaching and counselling—and a deep understanding of how trauma impacts learning, Greer has developed a practical, research-backed framework that empowers teachers to implement trauma-aware practices in their classrooms. Greer has had the privilege of teaching and learning with students aged 3 through to 19 across a wide variety of educational settings, including remote and rural schools, mainstream education environments, and alternative education programs supporting disengaged young people. This breadth of experience has provided a rich foundation for understanding the diverse ways trauma can show up in the classroom and how best to respond. Greer’s work focuses on small, powerful shifts that make a big impact, helping educators navigate behaviour challenges, build trust with students, and prevent burnout.

A Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC), a Certified EMDR Therapist (EMDRIA), and a Mental Performance Specialist, Kara is widely recognized for her work integrating mental health support with high performance in both professional and athletic spaces. With her roots as a national-level athlete and a coach for the Canadian National Team, Kara has spent over two decades at the intersection of psychological resilience and peak performance. She has worked extensively with frontline workers, corporate professionals, and elite athletes, helping them manage stress, recover from trauma, and optimize their mental well-being. Kara’s distinctive approach blends her deep understanding of mental fortitude with the transformative power of EMDR therapy. Her extensive training and experience in EMDR have solidified her reputation as a leader in mental wellness and fueled her commitment to pioneering its application beyond traditional therapy settings. Having successfully supported frontline workers, athletes, and high-performing professionals through EMDR therapy in her private practice, Kara envisioned an online platform to expand this support nationwide. Shift Change is that vision in action—a revolutionary approach to providing on-demand mental health support for those who need it most, whether after a high-stakes shift or a high-pressure performance.

Martin Ali Simms is a leading expert in the intersection of neuroscience, trauma-informed practices, and athletic performance. As the founder of the DOPE Coach Academy, he helps coaches, student-athletes, and parents integrate neuroscience and nervous system regulation into sports to optimize mental wellness and peak performance. Martin was trained by Dr. Bruce Perry, creator of The Neurosequential Model, and developed the DOPE Framework—Develop, Organize, Process, Engage—to make neuroscience accessible and actionable for students-athletes from all backgrounds. Through his work as a Sports Coach & Neurosequential Sports Specialist and host of the upcoming “Your Brain on D.O.P.E.” podcast, Martin is on a mission to equip student-athletes and coaches with cutting-edge strategies for resilience, self-regulation, and high performance. He is a sought-after speaker and consultant for school districts, sports organizations, and trauma-informed initiatives, bringing a fresh perspective on how athletics can be a vehicle for healing and transformation.

In a world where traditional education models often fall short, the Disrupters for Good Podcast, formally known as the Trauma Informed Educators Network podcast, dives deep into the transformative power of trauma-informed education. We're here to challenge the status quo, exploring how understanding and addressing the impact of trauma can revolutionize our classrooms and create environments where every student can thrive. Join us as we speak with educators, therapists, and those with lived experience, uncovering practical strategies and sparking vital conversations reshaping the future of learning. This is the launch with host Mathew Portell, a lifelong unapologetic disrupter!

Shannon Harvey is the multi-award-winning director of two internationally acclaimed documentaries, The Connection and My Year of Living Mindfully. Her first book The Whole Health Life is about finding good health after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. As a journalist she spent many years working for leading news organisations such as the ABC and Fairfax. Her latest book, My Year of Living Mindfully is published by Hachette. She’s the recipient of the National Press Club of Australia’s “Health Journalist of The Year” award and produces a popular blog and top ten podcast, whilst balancing her life as the mother of two adventurous boys.

Heather Grow has been in education in some capacity for 15 years. She started subbing in college, became a teaching assistant for a K-2 SED classroom, and then was a 1:1 teaching assistant for a 5th-grade student before her current position as a teacher of physical educator. Grow has been in her current position for eight years and has always strived to bring trauma-sensitive practices to her students. Most recently, she presented at a zone conference for her state physical education professional organization, the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYS AHPERD), on trauma-sensitive practices in physical education with a co-worker. Their session was so well received that they were invited to present at the state conference in the fall. She also co-leads a professional learning group within her district called "Teaching Through the Lens of Trauma." Within this group, they are doing a book study on "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. They are collaboratively working towards making trauma-sensitive teaching practices a norm within their district, of which she is very proud. She is passionate about trauma and will continue to do this hard work for herself, her kids, and her students.

Dr. Larissa Rector has worked in education for more than 16 years. She has a PhD in Literacy Studies and Research and currently works at Tennessee Tech University, where she teaches graduate-level research courses. She also owns a nonprofit organization called Snug as a Bug Foundation and is a huge advocate for struggling students and helping to mitigate the barriers that often stand in their way.

Julia Chambers integrates all of the skills she acquired over the course of 3 master's degrees in art history, museum studies and public art studies, museum directorships, consulting projects, not-for-profit board leadership, world travel, and being a mother to 3 delightful young men into running Mimbleball -- which turned out to be precisely the skill set needed to help design, manufacture, promote, theoretically analyze, and share the sparks of joy, ice-breaking connection, and essential calming comfort that are manifest in Mimbleballs.

Mathew Portell, Dr. Tyisha Noise, Ingrid Cockhren, Julie Kurtz, and Dr. Julie Nicholson, our author team, experts in psychology, education, leadership/administration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), have come together to support and strategize mitigating school stress by co-authoring a book for Harvard Education Press, which will be published sometime in 2025. With extensive experience in research and practical application, we offer evidence-based strategies tailored to address the unique challenges educators and students face. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to cultivate supportive learning environments that promote well-being and academic success. Join us on March 27, 2024, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm to discuss this journey as we share our book and the innovative approaches to reduce stress and enhance the educational experience for all stakeholders.

Katie and Halley, sisters and co-workers, partner with the Neurosequential Network in coordinating the NME Trainer Program and are co-directors of a non-profit organization called Educational Access Group. Halley is a former teacher. Katie hails from the public health sector, and their work supports schools, educators, and youth-serving organizations in sustainably implementing the NME and brain-based approaches across their buildings and systems through the S.I.T.E. Framework. They are passionate about infusing trauma-informed practices into schools, organizations, classrooms, and sport.

Dr. Tyisha J Noise has approximately 24 years supporting, nurturing and creating success with underserved populations from coast to coast in both nonprofit and educational settings. Dr. Noise has served as a special and general education teacher, high school administrator and middle school principal. She has extensive experience building systems to support best practices and has been a passionate coach of teachers and leaders in academic content as well as special education, athletics and leadership. Her primary research has been focused on how trauma informed schools and leaders can cultivate better and more equitable outcomes for students in underserved communities. Her passion project is creating faith based content and products to uplift, encourage and inform young children and their families through her company HeavenSent Kids. Dr. Noise received her doctoral degree in Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and currently serves as Coordinator of Equity & Access with the Los Angeles County of Education where she will support Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives on behalf of the counties 80 LEAs and over 300 charter school as we pursue more equitable outcomes for our nearly 2 million students.

Bethany has been an educator for 27 years. She taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades and also served as an academic/instructional coach. Bethany spend 12 years serving as a building administrator-7 years as an assistant principal and 5 years as principal. For the last three years, she has been mentoring program specialist at Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative, where she supports novice teachers across 27 districts. Bethany works with novices in various areas through professional development sessions and coaching cycles. She also supports schools and districts by facilitating learning on relationship-based classroom management, family engagement, and communication, and trauma-informed approaches that support staff, students, and families. Bethany is the handler for an educational assistance dog, and together, they promote working dogs in schools for mental wellness, behavioral, and academic support.

Ginger Healy, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker. She has worked as a child abuse investigator, hospital social worker, social service supervisor at an international adoption agency, and school therapist. She is currently the director of programs for the Attachment & Trauma Network. She co-anchors the podcast "Regulated and Relational" and speaks nationwide on trauma-informed schools, therapeutic parenting, and community engagement. Ginger is the author of Regulation and Co-Regulation: Accessible Neuroscience that Brings Calm into the Classroom, and her newest book is a companion workbook to the first called Regulation and Co-Regulation Accessible Neuroscience and Connection Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond. This workbook dives deeper with a chapter for parents, a chapter for building communities, a chapter on nurturing neurodivergence, and more. It is rich with ready-to-implement strategies, reflections, prompts, scripts, and activities to help students reach optimal performance by healing nervous systems in the classroom and beyond. This podcast episode will discuss her new book and the upcoming Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference.

Kris Jenkins has taught our youngest and most vulnerable learners for almost all of her forty years in education! A heart-wrenching trauma early in her young life led to a lifetime of ripples in giving back to other children and their families. Kris wholeheartedly believes that children must feel loved, nurtured, safe, and supported before true learning occurs. In addition to being a full-day preschool teacher, Kris is a published author and the family engagement coordinator for her elementary school.

Dr. Julie Nicholson- For as long as she can remember, she had an insatiable thirst for learning. She always sought knowledge with a passion, whether it’s new ideas, skills, or technologies. This drive to learn and make a positive impact on a large scale has fueled over two decades of leadership and social impact work. Julie holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan and an MBA with concentrations in finance and data analytics from St. Mary’s College of California. Her career spans over twenty years in educational leadership, with a primary focus on expanding equitable opportunities for underserved children, youth, and families. Julie Kurtz is an author and international speaker consulting and training on trauma and resilience. Julie is the Founder for the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®. She has extensive experience working with youth of all ages. She is a Licensed Therapist in CA and has worked as a Director of Non-Public Schools, Residential Treatment Facilities, Foster Care, Adoption and Homeless Youth Centers, Education and Early Childhood. She trains and consults throughout the United States in school districts ranging from Early Childhood to Grade 12. Ms. Kurtz is the author of several books on trauma and resilience, as well as an award-winning children’s book on building self-awareness and resilience.

Hey, hey, hey! Mathew Portell, founder of TIENetwork and podcasting pro, is BACK! After taking a little breather, he's ready to dish out the hottest updates and have a chatty catch-up with his #TIENetworkCast listeners! And guess what? It's his first solo gig on the podcast! So, let's show some love to this work and join in on the livestream.

Sean Pritchard is the CEO and founder of INHABIT, a wellness and peak performance company based in New Jersey that serves education systems, businesses, and sports programs. Through Sean's own struggles with his mental health in college, he came across meditation, and it changed his life. From working in tech sales, coaching youth sports, and being a personal trainer - Sean has used these experiences and his trainings/certifications in wellness to create his own methodology called the INHABIT Method that brings together breathwork, mindfulness, visualization, exercise, and other self-care practices to help people feel and perform their best.

Esohe Roland grew up in Nashville, TN and received both her Bachelors and Masters in the Middle Tennessee area. She has a heart and mind for educating. She got her start in the education field in the Metro Nashville Public School system and was also a student in MNPS throughout middle and high school. Her passion for education has led her to write her first book, "Dear First Year Teacher" She saw the decrease in teacher retention and wrote this book in hopes to assist in turning the teacher retention rates around. She aims to help all first-year teachers have a successful year. Not only to have a successful year but also an effective first year that will lead to many more years in the education field.

This unique episode was recorded live at the fourth annual Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference! Listen to Robin Cogan, Carey Sipp and over 70 others share their thoughts! Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN is a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN), currently in her 22nd year as a New Jersey school nurse in the Camden City School District. Robin is the New Jersey Director for the National Association of School Nurses representing the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. She is proud to be a Johnson & Johnson School Health Leadership Fellow and past Program Mentor. Robin is the honored recipient of multiple awards for her work in school nursing and population health. These awards include, 2019 and 2020 National Association of School Nurses President’s Award, 2018 NCSN School Nurse of the Year, 2017 Johnson & Johnson School Nurse of the Year, and the New Jersey Department of Health 2017 Population Health Hero Award. Robin serves as faculty in the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers University-Camden School of Nursing, where she teaches the next generation of school nurses. She was presented the 2018 Rutgers University – Camden Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award for Part-time Faculty. Robin writes a weekly blog called The Relentless School Nurse. Robin’s work is included as a case study in The Future of Nursing Report 2020-2030. You can follow Robin on Twitter at @RobinCogan. Carey Sipp, Director of Strategic Partnerships for PACEs Connection, helps decision makers at organizations and coalitions realize the benefits of partnership in the PACEs (positive and adverse childhood experiences) movement to prevent and heal childhood trauma and create positive childhood experiences.  She is also skilled at building relationships and making available the connections, learning, and data to accelerate and expand the movement to prevent and heal trauma.  The author of a book on breaking multi-generational cycles of addiction and abuse, The TurnAround Mom, Carey was writing about the health implications of what she called “toxic intensity” before learning, in 2000, about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).  A lifelong student of the sciences, Carey is drawn to learn daily about brain development, health and leadership. With all humility, she calls herself a cautionary tale and a success story in what positive and adverse childhood experiences can do to a human. She is an avid believer in post-traumatic growth, big ideas, and the power of good people working to change the world.