Trauma-Sensitive Schools: Learning Communities Transforming Children's Lives, K–5

by Susan E. Craig

Growing evidence supports the important relationship between trauma and academic failure. Along with the failure of “zero tolerance” policies to resolve issues of school safety and a new understanding of children’s disruptive behavior, educators are changing the way they view children’s academic and social problems. In response, the trauma-sensitive schools movement presents a new vision for promoting children’s success. This book introduces this promising approach and provides K–5 education professionals with clear explanations of current research and dozens of practical, creative ideas to help Integrating research on children’s neurodevelopment and educational best practices, this important book will build the capacity of teachers and school administrators to successfully manage the behavior of children with symptoms of complex developmental trauma. Dr. Susan E. Craig is a sought-after public speaker and professional developer, offering in-person training anywhere in the United States. Invite Dr. Craig to your facility to train your staff. Visit her www.meltdownstomastery.wordpress.com "Susan Craig’s book, Trauma-Sensitive Schools, couldn’t have come at a better time. In the book, she points out that this research is essential knowledge if educators want to create a school system where all children can feel safe enough to learn and succeed academically."
―From the foreword by Jane Ellen Stevens , founder and publisher ACEs Connection Network

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 27, 2015

About the author

Susan E. Craig, PhD, completed her doctorate in sociology at the University of New Hampshire and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami. She is a lifelong student of early trauma and its effects on children’s learning. Her teaching experience, as well as years of on-site training and technical assistance to school districts throughout the country, provides the context for her advocacy for trauma-sensitive educational reform.

Dr. Craig began her writing career in 1992 with an article in Phi Delta Kappan describing the educational needs of children living with violence. This work received special notice in the now famous “purple book” Helping Traumatized Children Learn (2005) published by Massachusetts Advocates for Children: Trauma and Policy Initiative. Her book Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt: Strategies for Your Classroom (2008) is a bestseller among teachers and administrators, who use it to guide their efforts to make schools more accessible to children with challenging behaviors. In 2013, Dr. Craig was among those interviewed in the Safe Start National Resource Center series profiling women who have made an impact on the issue of children’s exposure to violence.

Dr. Craig is an avid blogger and sought-after public speaker. Her blog, www.meltdownstomastery.wordpress.com, covers topics of interest to educators working with traumatized children.

Reviews

[Rich Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a continuing education class I'm taking on trauma-informed practices and it was, for a textbook, concise and interesting in building a background on psychology behind students (and teachers working with those students) and trauma. There was conversation around identifying students using things like ACES and some basic school structure suggestions. At the end of each chapter are a list of things that administrators and teachers can do, and I wish that there was some sort of companion guide that went more in-depth with that. This gives the science behind the why, but it doesn't necessarily give the what or how that's needed to support students experiencing trauma at the classroom level. Still, I think for an introduction to the idea, this was one of the better "textbooks" I've read for education.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with tons of useful & practical information for anyone who works in a school. The way the content is written & presented makes this book accessible to any & all school staff. At the same time, the author has included enough novel content to satisfy those of us who aren't entirely new to the topic.

[Janyne McConnaughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this to all involved in education. It is a landmark book in helping educators shift the paradigm for viewing behavior. I was especially intrigued and informed by the effects of trauma/leaning on brain development. I certainly understood my academic challenges better!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good description of the effects of early trauma on the brain and practical strategies schools and teachers can apply everyday

[India Chakraverty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish we lived in a world where schools could receive enough money and help to do this.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents scientific knowledge that we have on how trauma impacts the whole child and rewires the brain. It draws from both large scale studies (ACES) and from prominent researchers in the field (van der Kolk, Levine, Siegel). The result is an accessible book with actionable recommendations for educators.

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...every educator should read this book. It takes the clinical knowledge of ACES and the impact of trauma and presents the information in a way that is accessible and actionable. I look forward to sharing this book and the recommendations with my colleagues and leadership teams.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!