In EDU 204, Trauma Responsive Education. This course introduces students to the prevalence and the impact of adverse childhood experiences and examines the impact of this trauma on relationships and learning. Students will examine brain research and determine the connection between trauma and learning. Students will explore the practice of approaching students through a lens of trauma sensitivity and understand how to create a trauma-sensitive environment, in the classroom and across the school-wide setting
Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Impact of Trauma on the Brain
In the class Trauma responsive education one of our first more significant assignments was to discuss adverse childhood experiences and the impact trauma has on students learning and development. Throughout the course we had discussed questions such as what is trauma, the different types of trauma, how do we react to trauma, and what does it mean to be trauma responsive? These are all large questions that do not have a straightforward defined answer but through discussions, we all were able to learn from each other and find new perspectives. In this first project, I chose to do a short paper to explore some of those ideas that we had talked about and put my own options into it. Some of the points I talked about were the importance of having a safe environment within the classroom and never making assumptions about students.
I think this project is going to help me grow as a teacher because it sheds more light on how I can become more trauma-responsive rather than just trauma-informed. As a teacher I am going to be faced with many challenging situations where my students may be coming into the classroom with really tough situations at home and it’s my job to help them feel safe at school so that they can continue to learn. By giving children a healthy support system and modeling self-care the student will be taught important life lessons that will stick with them. Outside of teaching, I think the information I’m learning in this class also benefits me right now, having knowledge of the different types of trauma and common triggers allows for me to be more trauma-responsive to the people around me, as well as think about my own experiences and self-reflect on how I can manage my own triggers so I can be the best possible person, teacher, and friend for everyone around me.
