Faculty Resources
Trauma Informed Care
Many students we work with have been through some form of a traumatic experience in their life. Trauma doesn't always mean abuse, neglect or witnessing a catastrophic event. We often described these as "BIG T" traumas, but there are also "little t" traumas which are more persistent and ongoing such as toxic stress caused by family or possibly cultural/societal environments. All forms of trauma can have a profound impact on how people see and interact with the world. For this reason, it is important for us to learn how to identify and support students who have experienced or are currently experiencing trauma so that they can learn effectively in the classroom.
When we understand that the students coming to our school and classrooms have a variety of backgrounds and experiences, it becomes clear that treating all students as equals is not the best approach. Here are some resources that may help you understand this important topic in more depth:
Learning Brain vs. Survival Brain
ACE - Adverse Childhood Experiences - Look at this list of adverse childhood experiences. The ACE's study was landmark in helping medical professional understand how certain experiences in childhood can greatly predict both physical and mental illnesses as adults. The key is that once it is identified that students/children have experienced these events, we can intervene to provide them with the support they need to succeed. An high ACE's score does not mean someone is doomed to failure, but it does show that they are more likely to have certain challenges in life.
A quick video with great suggestions on how to talk with someone who mentions suicide (the warning signs, what to say, and also what NOT to say).