Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Your Guide to Creating Safe, Supportive Learning Environments for All Students

K-12

Drawing on her extensive experience as a school counselor, trainer, and mother, trauma expert Jen Alexander delivers a comprehensive framework for building a safe, supportive school environment that helps all students learn and thrive. With this engaging, highly practical guide to what works and why, your school team will gain insights and develop action plans that make a real difference in the lives of all kids, including our most vulnerable youth.


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FREE WEBINAR

Help for Stressed Educators During COVID-19: Noticing and Meeting Teacher Needs as Schools Reopen

In the United States, at least one in four youth experiences trauma severe enough to negatively affect their school success.* Give hope and help to these students with this reader-friendly how-to guide, your springboard for building responsive, trauma-sensitive preK–12 schools.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a school counselor, trainer, and mother, trauma expert Jen Alexander delivers a comprehensive framework for building a safe, supportive school environment that helps all students learn and thrive. You'll start with an evidence-based introduction to the profound impact of trauma on a child's development, attachment, and behavior. Then you'll get an effective multi-tier system of support (MTSS) for developing a trauma-sensitive learning environment, including both universal strategies (Tier 1) and more intensive interventions (Tier 2 and Tier 3) for students who need more support. Compelling anecdotes and sample scripts illuminate challenges and solutions, and the included forms and worksheets are valuable tools for helping educators build the mindset and skills necessary for becoming trauma-sensitive. With this engaging, highly practical guide to what works and why, your school team will gain insights and develop action plans that make a real difference in the lives of all kids, including our most vulnerable youth.

DISCOVER HOW TO:

make five key shifts in the way you view and approach students, so that you’re better equipped to support them
work together to prioritize resilience by actively putting relationships first in your school
implement universal instructional strategies that foster safety, connection, regulation, and learning for all students
use special supports, supplemental instruction, and coaching when universal strategies aren't enough
collaborate effectively with families and colleagues to meet each student's needs
incorporate restorative discipline practices that focus on restitution, not retribution
create a personalized self-care plan to promote wellness and reduce the effects of job-related stress

PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Creative activities for teachers, powerful case stories, sample dialogues and scripts for educators and counselors, reflection and brainstorming worksheets, downloadable forms, and templates and handouts for use with students.

Build resilience by helping all students

Feel safe
Be connected
Get regulated
Learn

Discover the NEW ebook from Jen Alexander: Supporting Students and Staff After COVID-19

* National Child Traumatic Stress Network Schools Committee, 2008*

Reviews

Jody McVittie, Executive Director, Sound Discipline - November 8, 2018

“ Are you working with children who struggle because of their history of adverse experiences? You need this book—even if you already have a full shelf. Packed with stories, wisdom, and practical tools, this is a resource you'll come back to over and over again for ideas, support, and encouragement.”

Author: Jen Alexander M.A., NCC

Attend a Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools Seminar to learn the essentials of trauma-sensitive PreK–12 learning environments and how to use trauma-informed response to intervention to meet the needs of all students.

Learn more about the seminar

Watch the webinars

Help for Stressed Educators During COVID-19: Noticing and Meeting Teacher Needs as Schools Reopen

Trauma-Sensitive Student Support During School Closures: Practical Strategies for Helping Caregivers Help Kids

Read the blog posts

14 Strategies for Connecting with Families this Year

Reassuring Connections: 4 Brookes Authors Share Tips for Supporting Stressed-Out Students

11 Things You Can Do Right Now to Build a More Trauma-Sensitive Classroom

10 Essentials for Promoting Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development

At least 1 in 4 students has experience trauma that negatively impacts school success.

Learn more in this video from WeAreTeachers and Brookes Publishing.

Download the sample syllabus