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

Give hope and help to students who experience trauma 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. 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 *incorporate restorative discipline practices that focus on restitution, not retribution *create a personalized self-care plan to reduce the effects of job-related stress With this engaging, 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. Includes practical materials: *Creative activities for teachers *Powerful case stories *Sample dialogues and scripts for educators and counselors *Reflection and brainstorming worksheets *Templates and handouts for use with students