Creating Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Classrooms: Teacher Strategies for Nurturing Students' Healing, Growth, and Learning

by Tom Brunzell, Jacolyn Norrish

With accessible strategies grounded in trauma-informed education and positive psychology, this book equips teachers to support all students, particularly the most vulnerable. It will help them to build their resilience, increase their motivation and engagement, and fulfil their full learning potential within the classroom. Trauma-informed, strengths-based classrooms are built upon three core to support children to build their self-regulatory capacities, to build a sense of relatedness and belonging at school, and to integrate wellbeing principles that nurture growth and identify strengths. Taking conventional approaches to trauma one step further, teachers may create a classroom environment which helps students to meet their own needs in a healthy way and progress academically. Based on the successful Berry Street education strategies pioneered by the authors, this book also includes comprehensive case studies, learning points and opportunities for self-reflection, fully supporting teachers to implement these strategies within the classroom.

Genres: Teaching, Education

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2021

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a thorough yet concise overview of the Berry Street Education Model. It provided relevant research into the impacts of trauma on young people, and how educators can use this to create trauma-informed and strengths-based classrooms. The book was organised clearly with explicit strategies outlined after discussions of theory. Key ideas were summarised throughout the chapters, which was helpful to keep focused and will also be invaluable for revisiting the book when implementing the strategies.

This book was a great addition to my learning from the Berry Street Education Model training days; it brought together all of the key ideas and rejuvenated my knowledge and confidence in implementing these strategies for my students. It would also work as a wonderful introduction to those new to the model.

I would have appreciated some additional resources with this book, such as some online access to video clips showing the strategies in action. But otherwise, it was a comprehensive book that I will be dipping into many times in the future.

[Tonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the NSWTF library. It's very practical and covers a lot of ground. Teachers who are great with tricky students won't learn much from it as it's probably what they're already doing, but I picked up a few tips. I like the idea of rhythmic drumming to replace meditation and defining resiliance as 'thinking calmly about the helpful next step when faced with stressful situations'.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book, some really useful strategies.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone working in schools who is not a school teacher, this book helped me identify and develop the vocabulary for the techniques and situations I encounter teaching children yoga.

Some of the ideas were new and useful to implement. Some ideas helped me confirm I am on the right track.

I also appreciated the format of the book as well. A lot of information followed up with practical applications through case studies of different students.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative medium-paced

5.0 

Excellent book. Lots of useful and practical strategies for classrooms.  Lots of things I already know and do when working with students. Values. Belonging. Safety. Signature strengths. Mindfulness. Self-talk. Also lots more evidence and explanations on WHY the strategies work. Particularly liked the info on brain and bodies. Looking forward to trying motivational interviewing

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think every teacher should read this book. I think it could have been more compelling to read but it is the foundation of a well researched trauma-informed approach to students that need the be the core of education before any teacher starts teaching.

[Carissa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book with so many practical strategies to assist in building school cultures where everyone is set up to experience success.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had empathy for teachers and students, written in a way that kept you engaged and empowered to succeed.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for teachers struggling to support dysregulated students.