Regulate To Educate.

21st Century classrooms are not the classrooms of the past. Children AND teachers are coming to school bringing a backpack of: Trauma, tension, fear, disregulation, despair, and unprocessed triggers.

As a result, school environments are becoming increasingly volatile and learning is compromised, teacher burnout is increasing and kids are feeling elevated levels of anxiety that prevents them from accessing their learning potential. With over 36 years of experience as a school-based Speech-Language Pathologist and District Consultant, Diana brings a deeply relational, trauma-informed, and neuroscience-based lens to education. Her work is grounded in one essential truth: we are all wired for belonging, connection, and love.

As a keynote speaker, presenter, and facilitator, Diana supports educators, school teams, and leaders in understanding behaviour through the lens of nervous system regulation rather than compliance. Drawing on relational neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and culturally grounded perspectives — including Indigenous ways of knowing — she invites audiences to look beyond surface behaviours and academic outcomes and instead centre emotional safety, identity, and connection. Diana’s unique experiences and skills allows her to view neuroscience, connection, regulation, embodiment, learning and communication through the lens of communication strategies.

Throughout her career, Diana has worked extensively with students with complex communication needs, demand avoidance profiles, and nervous system overwhelm. She understands that what is often labeled as “oppositional,” “non-compliant,” or “challenging” is frequently a stress response rooted in dysregulation, disconnection, or unmet relational needs. Her approach integrates speech and language development with co-regulation strategies, attachment-informed practice, and practical classroom tools that restore calm, safety, and readiness to learn.

Diana’s sessions are both compassionate and practical. Participants leave with:

• A clear understanding of the neuroscience of regulation and co-regulation

• Strategies to support students experiencing overwhelm, shutdown, or demand avoidance

• Tools to strengthen belonging and connection in classrooms and school communities

• A renewed commitment to inclusion as something children feel — not something we simply implement

Her work reminds us that optimal learning environments are not created through control, but through connection. When children feel safe, seen, and valued, regulation follows — and learning becomes possible.

 Diana offers a unique opportunity to engage in the difficult conversations with kindness, an understanding of what it means to be in a classroom and applicable tools that can be referenced anytime. 

In her 36 years of working in Education, Diana has worked with 100,000’s of teachers and students. She offers a compassionate understanding of the educational challenges today with a unique experience for connection, health and wellbeing. She offers keynotes, group workshops/webinars, for all staff.

Diana provides local direct support and therapy to children and adults with complex communication as a registered Speech-Language Pathology (coverage often through benefits programs).