Trauma & Informed Care

Being trauma-informed means knowing what trauma is, how to spot its effects, and knowing how to approach instruction in a trauma-sensitive way. Trauma-informed schools ensure that the policies and culture of each school supports student mental health and safety. Terrible events are stressful for everyone. Sometimes, the event is severe, the ability to cope is poor, or the event occurs over and over, causing more stress than a person can manage. When this happens, the person has an emotional response called trauma. Possible symptoms of trauma include shock, emotional responses that don’t seem to make sense, negative behaviors, flashbacks, poor social skills, headache, stomachache, and lots of other changes to mood, behavior, and health.

What Can I Do? Common Trauma Triggers

• Learn how trauma impacts the brain - don’t be afraid to consult with your mental health team regarding Trauma Informed and Responsive Practices

• Know your students and their families - their needs, strengths, interests, family composition

• Caringly check in often to ensure the health and wellbeing of families and honor their resilience.

• Learn strategies to manage classroom behaviors

• Find ways to stay calm during challenging momentsdevelop plans for teacher regulation and student regulation

• Know your school’s Ci3T plan and discipline policies

• Advocate for change when you see something that could be done better

Emotional responses can be triggered by seemingly innocent things in the classroom. Your mental health team can help you to figure out the trigger and how to help. Triggers might include:

• An object

• A face, outfit, or mannerism

• Perceived anger or harm to someone

• Loud noises (slamming door, something breaking, arguing, raised voices)

• Sounds of pain/fear

• Being touched or standing too close

Tips for the Classroom

These essential tips will ensure you’re providing solid prevention on the first day of school:

• Create and practice rules and routine

• Allow for human error

• Create safe space/structure

• Reinforce the positive

• Integrate social-emotional learning

• Model respect

• Incorporate self-control practices into daily routine (breathing, mindfulness)