Let’s bring nervous system regulation into education for meaningful learning
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Course is FREE for WEAC members, $300 for non-members.
The Unmeasured Path to Success
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On paper, I was the perfect student—color-coded planner, AP courses, high GPA.
Under the law, No Child Left Behind, we were told: Test well and you’ll succeed.
So I collected grades and praise as proof that I was okay.I believed education—at least the way it was taught to me—was the path to success.
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After high school graduation, I realized I didn’t know who I was—only how to perform, please, and perfect.
It left me with a dysregulated nervous system.
One part of me was always asking, Am I good enough?
The other was quietly longing to be true to myself.But the voice of 'others' was louder:
Go to college, earn a degree, and you’ll be happy. -
In 2010, I became a teacher—and the system only deepened my dysregulation.
Even teachers are burdened with expectations, evaluations, and relentless pressure.
I found myself caught in constant tension:
Do I follow the pacing guide or trust my professional instincts?
Teach to the test or teach for real understanding?
Keep students quiet in rows or build a classroom community?It was a constant tug-of-war: do I meet the system’s demands or support meaningful learning for my students?
Finding My Path, Finding My Purpose
I’ve spent years in classrooms and in conversations with educators who share one urgent question:
“How do we get back to education where everyone is empowered to learn, lead, and live authentically?”
For me, the turning point came with the realization that nervous system dysregulation isn't a personal failing, but a natural response to a system that prioritizes compliance over connection.
As I began to understand and regulate my own nervous system, I was able to show up differently, both for my students and for myself. This shift led to a profound discovery: when teachers and students feel truly safe and supported, curiosity, creativity, and engagement aren't things we have to force; they naturally flourish.
The classroom transforms from a place of control and compliance into a space built on connection, trust, and possibility. Educators are honored as professionals, trusted to bring their full expertise to their work. Students are guided, not managed, and empowered to carve their own authentic paths.
This is how we move beyond simply surviving and begin to truly thrive. Together, we can rebuild education where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
