Lights On, Joy Up: Reframing Challenging Behaviors and Reigniting Your Purpose by Dr. Nefertiti Poyner

You may not always see it, but your work is extraordinary—and it matters more than most will ever know. Lights On, Joy Up is a high-energy, affirming session designed to honor the professionals who show up day after day with heart, hope, and an unwavering commitment to children, even those who express their needs through challenging behaviors. This isn’t just a webinar—it’s a tribute to your impact, presence, and power to make a difference. Led by Dr. Nefertiti Poyner, this uplifting and interactive session invites you to reimagine how you view children’s dysregulated behaviors. Instead of seeing defiance, withdrawal, or disruption as roadblocks, you’ll learn to interpret them as powerful messages—calls for connection, regulation, and relationship. Through real stories, evidence-based strategies, and energizing reflection, you’ll shift from reacting to responding. You’ll look beyond behavior to see the whole child—and in doing so, rediscover the joy and purpose behind your work. Together, we’ll explore how to infuse your classroom or program with empathy, emotional intelligence, and intentional practices that help every child feel seen, celebrated, and safe. You’ll leave with tools you can use right away—and a spirit renewed to match. This session is your standing ovation—a chance to pause, refuel, and remember: the work is hard, but so are you. And the light you bring? It matters more than you know.

By the end of this session, you will be able to: 

• Reframe behaviors of concern as communication and opportunities for connection.

• Implement trauma-informed, regulation-supportive strategies to respond to challenging behaviors with empathy and clarity. 

• Design a personal action plan to infuse joy, intentionality, and relationship-centered practices into daily routines and interactions