Trauma Informed Classrooms.
When people enter a classroom they bring their entire life experience, including trauma. The principles of trauma informed care, described here, can be transported into classrooms or everyday interactions. The following is an adapted presentation I gave to ESL teachers who work primarily with newcomers to Canada.
When I was teaching, a number of my students would show trauma responses during class. I had students who refused to have their backs to the door, students who recoiled from people in uniform. There were students who had dissociated from their experiences and spoke about harms (that they inflicted or experienced) in a very manner-of-fact way, as though it was commonplace. Students often came to class fresh from hearing about the death of family members or the breakdown of custody agreements. I had students who refused to share any personal information, and students who probably shared too much.
When we think about creating a trauma informed classroom, it does not matter what the traumatic experience was. Instead, what is most important is how we can support the student through their trauma response, and create a safe place where they will not feel threatened.
When I was teaching, a number of my students would show trauma responses during class. I had students who refused to have their backs to the door, students who recoiled from people in uniform. There were students who had dissociated from their experiences and spoke about harms (that they inflicted or experienced) in a very manner-of-fact way, as though it was commonplace. Students often came to class fresh from hearing about the death of family members or the breakdown of custody agreements. I had students who refused to share any personal information, and students who probably shared too much.
When we think about creating a trauma informed classroom, it does not matter what the traumatic experience was. Instead, what is most important is how we can support the student through their trauma response, and create a safe place where they will not feel threatened.