Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Your Guide to Creating Safe, Supportive Learning Environments for All Students - Softcover

Alexander M.A. NCC SB-RPT, Jen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1681252457 ISBN 13: 9781681252452

Publisher: Brookes Publishing, 2019

Synopsis

In the United States, at least one in four youth experiences trauma severe enough to negatively affect their school success.* Give hope and help to these students with this reader-friendly how-to guide, your springboard for building responsive, trauma-sensitive preK–12 schools.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a school counselor, trainer, and mother, trauma expert Jen Alexander delivers a comprehensive framework for building a safe, supportive school environment that helps all students learn and thrive. You'll start with an evidence-based introduction to the profound impact of trauma on a child's development, attachment, and behavior. Then you'll get an effective multi-tier system of support (MTSS) for developing a trauma-sensitive learning environment, including both universal strategies (Tier 1) and more intensive interventions (Tier 2 and Tier 3) for students who need more support. Compelling anecdotes and sample scripts illuminate challenges and solutions, and the included forms and worksheets are valuable tools for helping educators build the mindset and skills necessary for becoming trauma-sensitive. With this engaging, highly practical guide to what works and why, your school team will gain insights and develop action plans that make a real difference in the lives of all kids, including our most vulnerable youth.

DISCOVER HOW TO:

• make five key shifts in the way you view and approach students, so that you’re better equipped to support them
• work together to prioritize resilience by actively putting relationships first in your school
• implement universal instructional strategies that foster safety, connection, regulation, and learning for all students
• use special supports, supplemental instruction, and coaching when universal strategies aren't enough
• collaborate effectively with families and colleagues to meet each student's needs
• incorporate restorative discipline practices that focus on restitution, not retribution
• create a personalized self-care plan to promote wellness and reduce the effects of job-related stress

PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Creative activities for teachers, powerful case stories, sample dialogues and scripts for educators and counselors, reflection and brainstorming worksheets, downloadable forms, and templates and handouts for use with students.

Build resilience by helping all students

• Feel safe
• Be connected
• Get regulated
• Learn

* National Child Traumatic Stress Network Schools Committee, 2008

About this title

About the Author

Jen Alexander believes that we can make a positive difference with kids—one relationship at a time, which is why she is a passionate leader in the movement to build trauma-sensitive schools. Jen loves helping others help kids and has done so in schools, as a volunteer for the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN), and when facilitating her own trainings for educators. Most know Jen as Ms. Jen (grown-ups included). Let's give a collective thanks to the 1970s most popular female name for several years running for that. When there are many Jennifers and Jens in every circle of your life, one figures out a way to be specific. Ms. Jen is an educator with more than 15 years of experience helping youth (some traumatized, some not) as a former special education teacher and current school counselor in Iowa. She holds degrees in psychology and special education teaching as well as a master's degree in professional school counseling from the University of Northern Iowa. She is a nationally certified counselor and registered school-based play therapist. Jen is also a mom, presenter, and someone who appreciates all things creative. She enjoys writing, reading, flower gardening, and swimming as well as spending time with loved ones, friends, and her cocker spaniel Macy.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Read an excerpt
Introduction of a Comprehensive Framework for Building a Safe, Supportive School Environment

Edition details

• Publisher: Brookes Publishing
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1681252457
• ISBN 13: 9781681252452
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 248
• Illustrator: Hinrichs Carol