2026 Fourth Quarter Connections Over Compliance Book Study

Join us for our 2025 - 2026 Fourth Quarter MSTA "Beyond the Book" Club Book Study, featuring Connections Over Compliance: Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline by Lori L. Desautels.

Participants are responsible for obtaining their own copy of this month's text before the beginning of the book study.  

Be part of a meaningful learning experience through MSTA's Extended Book Club for an engaging and transformative book study of Connections Over Compliance by Dr. Lori L. Desautels, a resource that challenges educators to move beyond traditional discipline and toward a neuroscience-informed, relationship-centered approach to teaching. In this study, participants will explore how understanding the developing brain, creating emotional safety, and practicing co-regulation can lead to stronger connections, improved student engagement, and meaningful, lasting behavior change. Together, we will examine practical strategies for building supportive classroom environments where students feel safe, seen, and ready to learn. 

This study is facilitated by MSTA Member Ursulla Wadley. Ursulla graduated from Southeast Missouri State with a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Child and Elementary Education and obtained her master’s degree in educational leadership at William Woods University. She completed her Trauma-Resilience Studies Certification through Southeast Missouri State, becoming a Trauma Informed Professional. She started her career as an elementary teacher. After seeing the need to help students who were unable to succeed in a regular classroom setting, she took on the role of coordinator/teacher in a support/intervention program. Ursulla then served as the JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) Specialist for Cape Central Academy, an alternative high school. She is now serving JAG as the Regional Manager for the Southeast Missouri Region. She is passionate about coaching teachers in ways to increase instructional time and build meaningful relationships with students, all while using effective, trauma-informed interventions.

​​​​​​📘 MSTA's Online Learning Platform

MSTA uses Teachable to host its online professional learning activities, including discussions, group work, and course materials.

What You’ll Find in the Course:

• Discussion Boards: Share insights and reflect with peers.
• Guiding Questions & Tasks: Apply key ideas from readings.
• Asynchronous Format: Participate anytime, anywhere.

🧭 Getting Started with Teachable

First-Time Participant?

Check your email for a message from Teachable (sent to the address you used when registering). Follow the link to confirm your email and set your password. Your course will appear under "My Products."

Returning Participant?

Log in using your email and password from a previous course to access your dashboard.

​💬 Course Expectations

• Attend Zoom networking sessions to connect and collaborate.
• Complete assignments that link course concepts to your classroom practice.
• Access to course resources continues after the course ends.

🎓 PD Certification

• At the end of the month, participants who complete all the course requirements and attend the zoom meetings will receive 8 hours of PD. Certificates are available in your Teachable account.

​​​​