Integrating Trauma Informed Practices in the Classroom
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience and can have devastating impact on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Trauma can manifest in many ways including anxiety, panic attacks, irritability, depression, flashbacks, and substance abuse.
Approximately 70% of adults in the United States have experienced trauma. With numbers like that, it is safe to say, students who have experienced trauma are in your classroom every day.
In the classroom, students may be triggered or may be reacting to an earlier trigger without you even realizing it. The student may shut down, disengage, lash out, or abruptly leave the room and thus disrupt learning. Integrating practical trauma-informed practices can foster a supportive and empowering learning environment.
A trauma informed approach is one that realizes the widespread impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms, responds by integrating knowledge into practices, and seeks to resist re-traumatization.
In this session, learners will:
- Define trauma, identify adverse childhood experiences, and understand the effects of toxic stress
- Learn the principles of a trauma-informed approach and how to integrate them into classroom practices in practical ways
- Recognize the benefits of mindfulness
Guttman Office of Wellness
- Learn and utilize mindfulness techniques for self-care and in the classroom