The professional development program "Ready, Set, RISE: Trauma-Informed Care in the Educational Environment" underscores the critical importance of safety and predictability, as well as empowerment and collaboration, as core elements of a trauma-informed educator practice. Educators play a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. By adopting a trauma-informed lens, educators can enhance their daily teaching practice and better address the needs of all students.

In the current landscape, safety and predictability are more crucial than ever. While safety has traditionally been associated with physical security, within a trauma-informed framework, it encompasses emotional and relational safety as well. Feeling unsafe or experiencing trauma can significantly hinder academic achievement, leading to decreased test scores, absenteeism, disengagement, and a sense of detachment from school. Moreover, prolonged exposure to feelings of insecurity can have detrimental effects on both the body and the brain, hindering learning and leading to adverse short- and long-term outcomes.

Students experiencing trauma may exhibit various behaviors, such as acting out, withdrawing, or demonstrating heightened anxiety. Creating physical, relational, and emotional safety within the educational environment is paramount. Strategies to establish physical safety include implementing clear safety procedures, modeling safe behavior, and maintaining resources like fully stocked first aid kits. Relational safety can be fostered through acceptance and validation of students' cultural backgrounds and prior experiences, promoting multiple avenues for engagement, and building trust. Emotional safety can be cultivated by creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, providing instruction on emotion regulation, incorporating self-reflection and mindfulness practices, and embracing diverse ways of expressing emotions.

By prioritizing safety, predictability, empowerment, and collaboration, educators can create environments conducive to learning and support the holistic well-being of all students, regardless of their backgrounds or experiences. Through ongoing professional development and a commitment to trauma-informed practices, educators can effectively meet the diverse needs of their students and foster a culture of compassion, resilience, and equity in education.