Woman To Watch :: Emily Read Daniels

Emily Daniels is the kind of woman quietly reshaping how schools support both students and educators. As the creator of The Regulated Classroom© and a former school counselor, Emily brings deep, real-world understanding to the work of trauma-informed education—paired with a refreshing humanity that makes her approach both accessible and impactful.

Now an internationally recognized trauma specialist and trainer, Emily has supported thousands of educators through professional development, workshops, conferences, webinars, and keynote addresses across the globe. Her work has been featured by major outlets including the Associated Press, Fox News, ABC News, the Los Angeles Times, and NPR—yet at the heart of it all, she remains deeply grounded in her role as a proud soccer mom and advocate for regulated, resilient classrooms.

Emily’s work isn’t just influencing systems—it’s changing lives, one classroom at a time.

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How did you get to where you are today?

I worked several different jobs through my career to gain the knowledge, experience, and wisdom I have today. But I was always most interested in being better and doing better. I am someone that thirsts for knowledge & understanding and I am someone that wants to help solve big social issues.  Making a positive difference in the lives of others  is at the center of everything I do in my career and business.  That’s been an excellent rudder for my decision-making.

Who has made an impact on you?

Many have influenced my development but the most profound sources of influence have been my mother and father. My father is a successful “self-made” man (I.e. entrepreneur)  and my mother is a highly educated and experienced psychotherapist.  

What do you think has helped you the most with your success?

Perseverance and faith. I don’t give up. It’s that simple. I have failed. I have been beat down. I have been dead broke with debt up to my eyeballs. I have been betrayed. But I won’t give up. And I don’t lie, cheat, or steal to get back on my feet. I have integrity and I have faith.  And I pray EVERY SINGLE DAY.

What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome in order to achieve your goals?

Probably the single biggest challenge has been doing all the things you need to simultaneously to get done in order to get where you want to go. 

I know its cliche but two things are very true:

1. If you believe you can, you will find a way
2. Setting explicit intention matters.  You manifest that which you can define and envision.  

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the opportunities for personal and professional transformation I provide teachers and educators.

For many years, I worked as a counselor.  And although I provided a genuine caring presence and action for my students and my colleagues, my impact was limited.

I am grateful that I have discovered a way to help amplify the impact and scale of my helping efforts.  And more importantly, I am delighted that the teachers I train can repeat in their own classrooms what I teach them in order to positively transform their and their students’ experience of school.  

What are three pieces of advice you could give to our readers?

1. Give ample space in your life for that which “lights you up” 
2. Recognize regulation from dysregulation in your body experience. If you can tune into these shifts, you can be in greater command of your thoughts, feelings, and actions
3. Chase your dreams.  What holds you back from realizing your fullest potential is fear.  Do what you can to release fear and go forward.  You will achieve.  

How do you try to make an impact? How do you reward yourself when you’ve reached a goal or after a hard day of work?

My work is about making an impact in the lives of teachers and students.