Helping Teachers Manage the Weight of Trauma (harvard.edu)

Roughly half of American school children have experienced at least some form of trauma — from neglect, to abuse, to violence.  In response, educators often find themselves having to take on the role of counselors, supporting the emotional healing of their students, not just their academic growth.

In a growing number of professions, including firefighters, law enforcement, trauma doctors and nurses, child welfare workers, and therapists and case managers, it is now understood that working with people in trauma — hearing their stories of hardship and supporting their recovery — has far-reaching emotional effect on the provider.

How Schools Can Acknowledge Secondary Trauma

Building a Culture of Awareness

Create Peer Groups

Trauma-Informed Schools

While centered on supporting the emotional care and wellbeing of students, trauma-informed schools, by their nature, foster communities where educators have the understanding and tools to recognize and address STS in themselves and each other.

To read more of Jessica Lander's article, please click here.