# Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools

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

[Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_Contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=161507&Name=Jen+Alexander,M.A.,%20NCC)

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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| Paperback<br>US$ 29.95<br> <br>Qty:<br>Add to Cart |
| e-Book14823KB<br>US$ 29.95<br> <br>Qty:<br>Add to Cart |

- [Product Details](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Building-Trauma-Sensitive-Schools-P1101.aspx)
- [Table of Contents](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Building-Trauma-Sensitive-Schools-P1101.aspx)
- [Reviews](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Building-Trauma-Sensitive-Schools-P1101.aspx)
- [Contributors](https://products.brookespublishing.com/Building-Trauma-Sensitive-Schools-P1101.aspx)

**FREE WEBINAR**

[Help for Stressed Educators During COVID-19: Noticing and Meeting Teacher Needs as Schools Reopen](https://home.edweb.net/webinar/inclusiveeducation20200831/)

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](/content/coming-soon-supporting-students-staff-after-covid-19/index.html)**

_* 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](https://products.brookespublishing.com/cw_contributorinfo.aspx?ContribID=161507&Name=Jen+Alexander+M.A.%2c+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](/content/seminar/building-trauma-sensitive-schools-seminar/index.html)

**Watch the webinars**

[Help for Stressed Educators During COVID-19: Noticing and Meeting Teacher Needs as Schools Reopen](https://home.edweb.net/webinar/inclusiveeducation20200831/)

[Trauma-Sensitive Student Support During School Closures: Practical Strategies for Helping Caregivers Help Kids](https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5165563207718467597)

**Read the blog posts**

[14 Strategies for Connecting with Families this Year](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/14-strategies-for-connecting-with-families-this-year/)

[Recommended Summer Reads: 10 Books to Help You Build Your Inclusion Toolbox](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/10-books-to-help-you-build-your-inclusion-toolbox/)

[Reassuring Connections: 4 Brookes Authors Share Tips for Supporting Stressed-Out Students](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/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](http://blog.brookespublishing.com/11-things-you-can-do-right-now-to-build-a-more-trauma-sensitive-classroom/)

[10 Essentials for Promoting Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development](https://blog.brookespublishing.com/10-essentials-for-promoting-young-childrens-social-emotional-development/)

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

Learn more in this [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWKnevcPSUw) from WeAreTeachers and Brookes Publishing.

**Download the sample syllabus**

[Sample Syllabus: Building Trauma Sensitive Schools](/content/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/building-trauma-sensitive-schools-sample-syllabus-.pdf)

**Download the tip sheet**

[How can Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools be used to support social-emotional health in classrooms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?](/content/resource-library/building-trauma-sensitive-schools-pandemic-support/index.html)

**Read an article**

[6 Brookes Authors Offer Tips on Keeping Parents Engaged This Fall (Whether School Buildings Open or Not)](/content/newsletters/k-12-education-newsletter/tips-keeping-parents-engaged-in-fall/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=20200709-ed-news/index.html)

**Hear Ms. Jen Alexander's interview on the #TIENetworkPodcast**

Listen to episode 11 on [iTunes,](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trauma-informed-educators-network-podcast/id1480791597) [Google Play,](https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I6ymr6jpvwamjsgxibbssttrtju) [Spotify,](https://open.spotify.com/show/5PYAw4ZnWcZyyULOfIDN3d?si=l8aJOy42T36Q4m1WZzeRxA) or [SoundCloud](https://soundcloud.com/mathew-portell-93233744).
 
[**Learn more about Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools!**](/content/building-trauma-sensitive-schools-guide/index.html)

This product has additional material available on the Brookes Download Hub.

- ACEs questionnaire
- sample syllabus
- creative activities for teachers
- sample dialogues and scripts for educators and counselors
- reflection and brainstorming worksheets
- downloadable forms
- templates and handouts for use with students
- additional references

Visit the [Download Hub](https://downloads.brookespublishing.com/resource/building-trauma-sensitive-schools) for a preview of what's available.