1. Trauma Informed Teaching
Presented by:
Sarah Schreffler
May 2018

2. 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.

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

4. Image Retrieved from http://sandyhookcolumbine

5. “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

6. 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

7. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. “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

14. 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

15. 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!

16. 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

17. References
Desautels, L. (2016). Brains in pain cannot learn. Edutopia. Retrieved from Dotson, T. (2017). The transformative power of trauma-informed teaching. Education Week Teacher. Retrieved from informed-teaching.html Minero, E. (2017). When students are traumatized, teachers are too. Edutopia. Retrieved from too?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (2016). Adverse Childhood Experiences. Retrieved from Pickens, I., & Tschopp, N. (2017). Trauma-informed classrooms. School-Justice Partnership: National Council of Juvenile and Family Courts. Retrieved from

18. References
Shervin, A. (2017). Trauma-informed practices benefit all students. Edutopia. Retrieved from 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 The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. (2018). 10 things about childhood trauma every teacher needs to know. Retrieved from about-childhood-trauma-every-teacher-needs-to-know/ Trauma. (2005). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from