Trauma-Sensitive Instruction: Creating a Safe and Predictable Classroom Environment

by John F. Eller, Tom Hierck

The impact of trauma on learning can be significant and long lasting. Learn how you can confidently and meaningfully support your trauma-impacted students and foster trauma-informed schools with this accessible resource. The authors draw from their personal and professional experiences with trauma, mental health, and school culture to provide real insight into what you can do now to help learners build resilience, cope with adverse situations, and achieve at high levels.

Implement trauma-informed teaching practices and cultivate a classroom environment that encourages positive learning

Understand childhood trauma and the impact traumatic experiences have on learners.Develop a trauma-informed attitude and mindset.Examine classroom structures that support trauma-sensitive practices while recognizing those that may contribute to trauma.Gain effective classroom management strategies and techniques to support all students, including those experiencing trauma.Learn how to develop trusting and positive relationships with trauma-impacted students and their families.

About the AuthorsIntroductionChapter 1: The Impact of Trauma on Educators and StudentsChapter 2: The Importance of Attitude and Mindset in Working With TraumaChapter 3: Classroom Structures to Support Trauma-Sensitive PracticesChapter 4: Positive Relationships With StudentsChapter 5: Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Management Strategies and TechniquesChapter 6: Parent and Family EngagementReferences and ResourcesIndex

Genres: Teaching, Education

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2021

Reviews

[Shyloh-Dawn Fermaldibryde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up after attending a session by one of the authors (Tom) at a PD conference. I am glad I did! I really appreciated the framing of this book. I studied trauma as a focus in my masters in education so there wasn’t much new information for me. However, one of my complaints about many books for teachers about trauma is they often get bogged down in the brain science and shares general strategies around routines/procedures instead of the nitty gritty of addressing classroom management and student behaviours. What I liked most about this book is it only devoted a few pages to the brain science of trauma so an individual could have the necessary background, and it spent most of the book looking at strategies and why those strategies are helpful. It had a number of routines/procedures that’s just part of good teaching (consistency, developing relationships, etc) but went deeper to addressing challenging behaviours. It also had an entire chapter on working with the parents of trauma impacted students which I have never encountered before. The book itself is concise, easy to digest, provides many examples and case studies, and includes reflective questions for teachers to reflect on their own practice. Overall, this is a great resource and I would highly recommend it to all staff, and especially new teachers.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every educator. It provides a deeper understanding to the impact that trauma has on students ability to learn and the importance of building trusting relationships with students to help foster resiliency and student success. Eller and Hierck provide practical strategies that can be easily and immediately implemented into teachers' practice.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up from a 2.5/2.75. Did contain some very useful information and was a relatively easy read. Some of the examples really helped illustrate the point. Some of the information you have seen presented more effectively in other books and some of the the writing style choices did not work for me. Your mileage may vary however and like I noted, a quick read with some very useful ideas and tools.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very easy read and would be a good pick up if you need a reminder of best practices. It is definitely more geared towards a beginner in this area and if you already are pretty knowledgeable this brings some quick tables and lists to the table.

[Ree Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for educators about creating a safe space for all learners!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful framing.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically just a summary of a lot of other good books out there, but it's a nice compass to find a lot of other good books out there.

[Molli927 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the stories & examples not studies & data. Really helped elaborate and explain the concept or ideas to try with those struggling students.

[Carrie Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really practical and applicable strategies!