Course Description

This course on supporting students through childhood trauma will provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to help students cope with stress and anxiety. The course will cover key strategies for supporting students in managing their emotions and behaviors. Educators will implement trauma-informed practices to create a safe and supportive classroom environment. In addition, the course will examine the role of the teacher in building caring student-teacher relationships to mitigate the effects of trauma and support students’ academic and social-emotional development.

Throughout the course, educators reflect on their teaching and develop a plan to incorporate trauma-informed practices in their classrooms. The goal of the course is to empower educators to become confident and supportive teachers prepared to provide safe, inclusive, supportive learning environments to students who have experienced trauma.

Essential Questions

• How do teachers use trauma-informed classroom practices to create a safe and inclusive classroom environment?
• How does trauma influence learning?
• What are the best ways to cultivate caring and supportive teacher-student relationships?

Comments from Teachers

“I really liked the idea of having restorative circles with my students, greeting students by name each day, and understanding the challenges that they may have. I would implement the anxiety chart that I can tape to their desks. I would also like my students to openly communicate their feelings and have a trusting relationship with me.”

“I learned a significant amount of information about trauma-informed learning and how to create a safe, low-stress classroom environment for all of my students, especially those who have experienced trauma.“

Danielson Teacher Framework Course Alignment