Toward Trauma Sensitive Practices in the Classroom: A Compassionate Teacher's Responsibility

Abstract

Findings on the high prevalence of childhood trauma, the detrimental effects relating traumatic stress can have on school functioning, and resulting negative potential adult life outcomes presents a tremendously dire vision for student survivors. This requires today's classroom teachers to become better prepared to holistically support students' needs to assist in trauma recovery and future protection. Teachers must become informed about childhood trauma and gain the ability to recognize the impact traumatic stress has on students' abilities to progress in school. Once trauma-informed, it is a compassionate teacher's responsibility to implement trauma sensitive practices in the classroom and prioritize the movement of becoming a nation of Trauma Sensitive Schools.