Alex Shevrin Venet is an educator, author, and professional development facilitator based in Vermont. She began her career teaching English at an alternative therapeutic school where she later served as a school leader. Currently, Alex teaches courses in the humanities and education at Antioch College of Vermont, Antioch University New Englad, and Castelton University. She facilitates equity-centered trauma-informed workshops for educators at all levels, including presenting nationally at conferences as an independent consultant for schools and districts. Alex’s writing has appeared in Edutopia, Mindshift, and the School Library Journal. She is the co-founder of the Nurturing the Nurturers collective, a healing community for educators. Her first book, Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, is a bestseller at W.W. Norton. You can learn more about her work at unconditionallearning.org

Mathew Portell is an educator, administrator, podcaster, writer, and international speaker. Portell’s interest in trauma-informed education led him to start the Trauma Informed Educators Network, a global network of over 31,000 practitioners, which he supports with a weekly podcast and yearly conference.  He is currently the Director of Education and Outreach at PACEs Connection and has received several recognitions for his work, but the most notable was the Elementary Principal of the Year in 2021 for Metro Nashville Public Schools.  He is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University, where he received his B.A. and M. Ed.  He completed his administrative licensure at Trevecca University and his trauma and resilience certification one and two from Florida State University.