In a world filled with clap-backs, cancel culture, and constant noise, teaching kids to be respectful feels harder than ever? In this powerful and humorous talk, educator and speaker Shauna King reveals the surprising neuroscience behind our words and how everyday language—what we say and how we say it—literally shapes children’s brains, behavior, and beliefs. Through personal stories, classroom moments, and a much-needed QTIP (Quit Taking It Personally), Shauna will challenge adults to raise our impact by rethinking our tone, our timing, and the voice we’re helping children build for life. Shauna F. King is an educator, author, and speaker with over 20 years of experience helping schools build stronger, more positive learning environments. A former principal, student services specialist, and teacher, she now teaches graduate courses and travels nationwide as a school climate coach and keynote speaker. Shauna has trained over 14,000 educators, equipping them with practical strategies rooted in language, mindset, and relationships. Her work leads to higher student engagement, improved behavior, and stronger collective efficacy among staff. She’s the author of Children Are Listening, School Smart, and fearLESS. As a mother of two teenagers, she brings both professional expertise and real-life perspective to every stage she steps on. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx