Neuroplasticity in Practice: Turning the science of learning into meaningful classroom practice
An NWAIS workshop series that will explore how neuroplasticity shapes the ways we design learning to deepen thinking, expand access, and support diverse learners in every classroom.
Monday, October 26, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT)
Monday, November 9, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT) Monday, November 23, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT)
Audience
This interactive workshop series is designed for academic leaders, learning specialists, instructional coaches, and classroom teachers.
Workshop Series Description
Every learner's brain has the capacity to grow and change. That's the promise of neuroplasticity—the brain's lifelong ability to adapt and rewire itself through experience. Understanding how that happens empowers educators to design instruction that expands opportunities for learners with varied strengths, experiences, and needs.
Across three Monday evenings, we'll explore how neuroplasticity shapes the ways we teach, connect, and design learning. Together, we'll translate neuroscience into practical strategies that deepen thinking, expand access, and support diverse learners in every classroom.
Note: Each session builds on the last, so attending the full series will give you the most powerful results. FormatThree 90-minute virtual sessions, two weeks apart. Each session includes presentation, breakout discussion, and applied work.
Session Descriptions
Monday, October 26, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT) Building Learning Through Research-Informed Practices Discover how research-informed instructional practices can strengthen learning for students with diverse strengths and needs. Grounded in the science of neuroplasticity, this session connects classroom instruction and support, including co-regulation, purposeful practice, and intentional learning structures, to the brain's capacity to build and strengthen neural pathways. You'll leave with practical approaches that deepen thinking, expand access, and help every learner build durable learning.
Session Outcomes: - Explain how neuroplasticity, myelination, and neural pathways contribute to learning
- Identify classroom practices that strengthen durable neural pathways
- Apply research-informed strategies that support learners with diverse strengths and needs
Monday, November 9, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT)
Designing Learning That Challenges and Supports Every Learner Learning flourishes when students experience the right balance of challenge and support. Grounded in Marian Diamond's research on enriched environments and the science of neuroplasticity, this session explores how intentional instructional design creates the conditions for deeper thinking and lasting learning. You'll leave with practical strategies for designing classroom experiences that cultivate productive struggle, expand access, and help learners with varied strengths and needs thrive.
Session outcomes: - Understand the research basis of neuroplasticity and how it is infl uenced by enriched learning environments and productive struggle
- Analyze classroom structures that create learning conditions where students are both challenged and supported
- Design learning experiences that deepen thinking and help every learner engage in meaningful learning
Monday, November 23, 2026 (3:30PM-5:00PM PT / 4:30PM-6:00PM MT)
Cultivating Thinking in an AI-Enabled World As AI becomes increasingly present in education, educators have an opportunity to rethink what it means to cultivate deep learning. Grounded in the science of neuroplasticity, this session explores how brain-aligned practices like retrieval, interleaving, and metacognitive feedback strengthen neural pathways and support lasting learning. You'll leave with practical strategies that deepen thinking, expand access, and help learners with varied strengths and needs build knowledge that sticks.
Session outcomes: - Evaluate how AI changes the learning landscape while the biology of learning remains the same
- Distinguish between practices that promote deep, transferable learning and those that reduce cognitive engagement
- Design learning experiences that preserve thinking while helping learners with varied strengths and needs build durable, transferable knowledge
About Our Facilitators from: 
Dr. Missy Widmann
Dr. Missy Widmann is a nationally recognized educational leader whose work sits at the intersection of educational neuroscience, classroom practice, and, most recently, artificial intelligence. With a doctoral degree specializing in Educational Neuroscience from Northeastern University (Seattle) and over two decades of experience in K–12 and higher education, Missy bridges research with practical application. As education evolves, so does her work. A growing curiosity about the intersection of AI, ethics, and neuroplasticity is guiding her on a new path. As Co-Founder and President of Neural Education, Missy leads professional learning experiences that empower educators to design brain-aligned classrooms grounded in curiosity, movement, emotional engagement, and ethical technology use. She also serves as a Visiting Professor at Pacific Lutheran University, where she prepares future educators to integrate neuroscience in ways that center human connection, equity, and transferable learning.
Tabitha Ellison
Tabitha Ellison is a neurodiversity-affirming advocate with 14 years of experience in education. She initially followed traditional compliance-based methods in education, employing reward systems and social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula that taught students to conform to their neurotypical peers. A transformative shift occurred when Tabitha delved into the intersection of neuroscience with teaching and learning. Tabitha serves on the executive board of Neural Education where she continues to explore the latest educational neuroscience research and delivers professional development to educators. After earning an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Tabitha served as a Student Services Director, allowing her to bring educational neuroscience and neurodiversity-affirming principles to more environments. Now, as co-founder of ShiftEd Perspectives, she is passionate about removing barriers and developing robust support systems tailored to meet individual needs- prioritizing autonomy, self-efficacy, and inclusive environments. 
Mary Snyder Mary Snyder serves as Executive Director of Neural Education. She holds a Master's degree in Language, Reading, and Culture and partners with educators and leaders to apply educational neuroscience in ways that strengthen teaching, learning, and systems. Her work has evolved from classroom teaching to instructional coaching, district leadership, and nonprofit leadership, each step driven by a deeper curiosity about what helps learners, and the educators who support them, thrive. Today, Mary works alongside educators and leaders to translate the science of learning into practical strategies that deepen thinking, expand access, and create learning environments where every learner can thrive.
Registration
Registration is NOT YET OPE FOR THIS PROGRAM
Participants will register for the full series. In the case that you are not able to attend every session in real time, all registrations include access to session recordings. Links to recordings will remain active for one month following each session and
should not be shared.
Pricing
Course Registration (Includes access to each workshop, session resources, and recordings*)
Member Schools - $295
Non-Members - $395
* Links to recordings will remain active for one month following each session.
Cancellation
Substitutions may be made any time prior to the workshop. Written cancellations received before the start of the course are eligible for a refund after a $50 cancellation fee.
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