Trauma Informed Teaching Presented by: Sarah Schreffler May 2018

I can… identify adverse childhood experiences. identify possible effects of childhood trauma on students’ academic performance, mental and physical health. identify strategies to support students who exhibit physical and emotional distress.

An experience that produces psychological what is trauma? An experience that produces psychological  injury or pain

Image Retrieved from http://sandyhookcolumbine

“At the heart of trauma informed care is sensitivity to students’ past and current adverse experiences and a deeper understanding of why they might be acting out” Dotson, 2017

Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Preventive Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Explored the relationship between children's emotional experiences and their subsequent mental and physical health as adults Strong correlation between adverse childhood experiences and adult health

types of aces Abuse Household Challenges Neglect Emotional Physical Sexual Household Challenges Mother Treated Violently Substance Abuse Mental Illness Separation/Divorce Neglect Incarcerated Household Member

Understanding students in trauma: How students react Fight Acting out Defiance Aggression Screaming Crying Flight Moving Running Leaving the area Freeze Refusing to answer Blank look

Understanding students in trauma: Effects of trauma on learning Adverse affects on attention, memory and cognition Reduced ability to focus, organize, and process information Difficulty planning and problem solving Overwhelming feelings of frustration and anxiety

Understanding students in trauma: Physical and emotional distress Headaches and Stomachaches Poor control of emotions Unpredictable and/or impulsive behavior Over or Under-reacting to sounds, physical contact, sudden movements Intense reactions to reminders of their traumatic event

correlation between number of aces and struggles with school and health Attendance Behavior Coursework Health 3+ ACEs 4.9 6.1 2.9 3.9 2 ACEs 2.6 4.3 2.5 2.4 1 ACE 2.2 1.5 2.3 No known ACEs 1.0 The more ACEs a student experienced, the more likely he or she was to experience serious school and health issues. Image Retrieved from Souers, K., & Hall, P. A. (2016). Fostering resilient learners: strategies for creating a trauma-sensitive classroom. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

“Exposure to multiple and severe stressors can profoundly affect how children interpret their world. increasing our awareness … and looking at our students through a trauma-sensitive lens open up an opportunity for us to approach teaching and learning in new ways” Souers & Hall, 2016

Understanding students in trauma: How do we respond? Don’t Lower Expectations Be More Proactive Recognize Classroom Triggers Don’t Take it Personally Respond with a Sensory-Based Approach to Start Ready to Learn & Relationship Repair Debrief Process

proactive strategies to create trauma sensitive classrooms Foster Stable Relationships Morning Meeting Mentor Program Relationships help build resiliency Create Predictable Structures School-Wide PBIS structures and strategies Empower Students to Self-Regulate Break Card Calm Down Corner Movement Breaks Direct teaching of Social-Emotional Skills SEFL/Second Step Lessons Teach, Model, Practice, Repeat!

self-care for educators Reduce Professional Isolation Build Relationships with Colleagues Find an Accountability Buddy Develop Coping Strategies Counting Down Visualizing a Positive Place Establish Coming Home Rituals Write a To Do List Turn off the Work

References Desautels, L. (2016). Brains in pain cannot learn. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/brains-in-pain-cannot-learn-lori-desautels Dotson, T. (2017). The transformative power of trauma-informed teaching. Education Week Teacher. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2017/11/22/the-transformative-power-of-trauma- informed-teaching.html Minero, E. (2017). When students are traumatized, teachers are too. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/when-students-are-traumatized-teachers-are- too?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (2016). Adverse Childhood Experiences. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/index.html Pickens, I., & Tschopp, N. (2017). Trauma-informed classrooms. School-Justice Partnership: National Council of Juvenile and Family Courts. Retrieved from https://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/NCJFCJ_SJP_Trauma_Informed_Classrooms_Final.pdf

References Shervin, A. (2017). Trauma-informed practices benefit all students. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/trauma-informed-practices-benefit-all-students Souers, K., & Hall, P. A. (2016). Fostering resilient learners: strategies for creating a trauma- sensitive classroom. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (2008).Trauma facts for educators. Retrieved from www.NCTSN.org. The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. (2018). 10 things about childhood trauma every teacher needs to know. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/10-things- about-childhood-trauma-every-teacher-needs-to-know/ Trauma. (2005). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://www.dictionary.com/browse/trauma?s=t.