Therefore, consistency and predictability will be paramount for students to feel comfortable and supported. Students have grown to expect the unexpected (Imad, 2020 Minahan, 2019).Here is a resource with a few ways to start. You may need to purposefully build in team- or relationship-building activities early in the course, and you will want to define what appropriate communication looks like. So, whether you teach online or face-to-face, keep in mind that you may have to set clear guidelines for how students engage with you and others. The physical environment has changed and our students’ relationship to how we interact in physical spaces has had to evolve. Students will have a different understanding of relationship-building and closeness (Carello, nd Imad, 2020 Minahan, 2019).Take a breath and do not take any of it personally. Trauma manifests in a number of ways – but specifically, this can mean that students do not respond to your teaching, prompts, or even their peers in ways we have come to expect. There will be unexpected responses (Minahan, 2019).The area of Trauma Informed Teaching and Learning has a wealth of resources available. While we do not know specifically how COVID-19 or current events will impact the learning experience, there is plenty of research on how trauma can inform teaching. We need to think about how we approach our students and each other as we move forward. The truth is that our students have had their lives uprooted, and this can lead to hopelessness, loneliness, fear, overwhelming emotions, depression, anxiety… see where this is going? These emotions will take up space in our learning environments. The reality is our learning environments have changed and will continue to change. Some of us had compounding situations (e.g., returning to unsafe or uncertain situations). Some of us had direct experiences with the issues some of us had tangential experiences. Some of us had support networks some of us did not. Keep in mind, not all students (or faculty and staff) experienced these events in the same way. All are going to take up space in your course, and it is important to have the background and tools you need to best support your students. Dealing with health and economic concerns around COVID-19 and the fight for justice that is taking place ( i.e., police brutality against people of color, systemic racism, white privilege) are ongoing traumas that we have to face. But I know that without a doubt, any discomfort that I feel putting myself out there is worth it to help the hard-to-reach, challenging students.As we return to campus, in what will be varied ways, we need to keep in mind that we all have been experiencing sustained events that are having and have had physical and/or emotional harm. So here I am – starting a blog about creating a trauma-informed classroom, which is slightly terrifying. Have you heard about this yet? It’s a new buzzword in education, and there are lots of little bits of information all over, but I have not been able to find one localized, comprehensive resource for teachers. I know it seems doubtful, but stay with me! I have found simple ways for teachers to effectively reach the most challenging students through becoming TRAUMA-INFORMED. It’s hope for an administrator who truly cares for that troubled teen but can’t seem to find a way to reach him.īut you’re probably wondering how I can provide this kind of hope? Um, like, hello, crazy lady, have you BEEN in a classroom lately? It’s hope for teachers who have tried everything, but they can’t seem to break the shell on that angry, defiant, argumentative student. It’s hope for the tired teacher with piles of papers to grade and students who don’t seem to listen, care, or stay in their seats. This isn’t your typical teacher blog – I don’t have Pinterest worthy bulletin boards to show you or amazing, creative lesson plans or the latest and greatest of teacher fashion! This blog is a little bit different from most because I want to provide you with hope. Hello! I am so glad you’re here! Welcome to The Trauma Informed Teacher blog.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |