Joe Brummer will be our plenary speaker of the Connected Communities Track for The Learning Brain Exchange on Monday, February 16, 2026. Mr. Brummer’s session is entitled Building Connected School Communities Through Trauma-Informed, Restorative Practices
Every student carries a story into the classroom, and for many, that story includes experiences of stress and trauma that shape learning, relationships, and behavior. Too often, schools respond to challenging behavior with exclusion or punishment, which can further disconnect students. This plenary will explore how trauma-informed and restorative practices offer a different path—one that addresses the roots of behavior while strengthening relationships and community.
Educators will learn practical strategies for responding to challenging behavior in ways that foster accountability, empathy, and growth, rather than compliance and shame. Participants will also discover how daily routines, restorative language, and consistent systems can create a culture of trust, belonging, and resilience for both students and staff. By centering connection and compassion, educators can transform classrooms and schools into communities where everyone has the opportunity to learn, heal, and thrive.
Joe Brummer is a trauma survivor who turned his healing journey into a career in peacebuilding, restorative justice, and trauma-informed education. He supports schools and youth justice programs worldwide and teaches at Hartford International University. Joe took the certification course in Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education. Joe works with the Attachment & Trauma Network and the Trauma-Informed Educators Network. A former mediation center director and past board member of the National Association for Community Mediation, he has trained thousands of people in trauma-informed restorative practices. His recent book won the prestigious 2025 Nautilus Book Award.
