Trauma-Informed Teaching for High School

Welcome back to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I'm your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re diving deep into a topic that is incredibly relevant and vital for educators everywhere—trauma-informed teaching, particularly in the high school setting.
 
The truth is, many of our students come to us carrying experiences and emotions that we can't always see or understand. Trauma can manifest in so many ways—through behavior, academic struggles, or even silence. And while we may not be able to change the experiences they’ve faced, we do have the power to create a classroom environment where they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Show Notes

For more information on this topic check out the following resources:

• Souers, Kristin and Hall, Pete – "Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom": A guide to understanding and implementing trauma-informed practices.
• Edutopia – Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies: www.edutopia.org - Articles and videos on trauma-informed practices for educators.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) – Educator Resources: www.nctsn.org - Resources on understanding and supporting students affected by trauma.
• Teaching Tolerance – Trauma-Informed Teaching: www.tolerance.org - Tools and strategies for building a trauma-sensitive classroom.
• ASCD – Trauma-Sensitive Schools Resources: www.ascd.org - Professional development resources for educators on trauma-informed teaching.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:09

Welcome back to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I'm your host, Don Fessenden, and today we’re diving deep into a topic that is incredibly relevant and vital for educators everywhere: trauma-informed teaching, particularly in the high school setting. The truth is, many of our students come to us carrying experiences and emotions that we can't always see or understand. Trauma can manifest in so many ways: through behavior, academic struggles, or even silence. And while we may not be able to change the experiences they’ve faced, we do have the power to create a classroom environment where they feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Trauma-informed teaching is more than a set of strategies; it’s a mindset and a commitment to seeing students through a lens of compassion and empathy. Today, we'll explore what trauma-informed teaching looks like in practice, especially for high school educators who face unique challenges and opportunities in supporting their students. We’ll talk about how to recognize signs of trauma, how to adapt your teaching strategies to be more responsive, and how to build a classroom culture that fosters resilience and growth. For our parent listeners, stay tuned for a special bonus segment where we will answer a question about how trauma-informed teaching affects their child's education. So, let’s get started. In todays first segment we will look at Understanding Trauma-Informed Teaching. To begin, let's clarify what we mean by trauma-informed teaching. At its core, trauma-informed teaching is about recognizing that trauma can impact learning, behavior, and relationships, and adapting our teaching practices to meet the needs of students who have experienced trauma. It’s about shifting our perspective from asking,"What's wrong with this student?" to"What has this student experienced?" and"How can I support them?" Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences: abuse, neglect, domestic violence, the loss of a loved one, community violence, or even significant life changes like moving or a family breakup. It can be acute, stemming from a single event, or complex, resulting from prolonged exposure to multiple traumatic experiences. For high school students, who are already navigating the challenges of adolescence, the impact of trauma can be particularly profound. Their brains are still developing, and they are learning how to manage emotions, build relationships, and make decisions. Trauma can disrupt these processes, making it harder for them to concentrate, regulate their emotions, and engage fully in their learning. In a trauma-informed classroom, teachers are aware of these challenges and are equipped to respond with understanding and flexibility. This doesn't mean lowering expectations or giving students a pass on their behavior. Instead, it’s about creating an environment that is physically, emotionally, and socially safe. It means building strong relationships with students, providing consistency and structure, and offering opportunities for choice and voice. One of the key principles of trauma-informed teaching is to build trust and create a sense of safety. High school students need to know that they are in a space where they will not be judged or punished for their reactions, where their feelings are validated, and where they are respected. Establishing clear expectations, being consistent in your responses, and showing that you care about them as individuals, not just as students, are crucial steps in building that trust. Another important element is understanding that behavior is communication. A student who seems defiant or disengaged may be struggling with something deeper. Instead of jumping to conclusions or doling out punitive consequences, trauma-informed teachers take a step back and consider what might be driving the behavior. This approach doesn’t excuse inappropriate behavior but seeks to understand it and address the underlying needs. Now that we've laid the groundwork for understanding trauma-informed teaching, let’s discuss practical strategies for creating a trauma-informed environment in a high school setting. Creating a trauma-informed environment in high school starts with establishing a classroom culture where students feel safe and respected. Begin by building strong relationships with your students. This can be as simple as greeting them at the door with a smile, learning their names quickly, and asking about their interests and experiences. Take time to check in with students, both individually and as a class. These small gestures go a long way in showing students that you care about them beyond their academic performance. Another strategy is to create routines and structure. High school students, especially those who have experienced trauma, benefit from knowing what to expect. Establishing a predictable classroom routine provides a sense of stability and safety. Start each class with a consistent opening activity, such as a journal reflection or a mindful breathing exercise, and outline the day’s agenda. When students know what’s coming, they feel more in control and less anxious. Be transparent about changes or disruptions to the routine, and explain why these changes are happening. This helps students feel respected and included. Offering choices is another powerful tool. Trauma can often make students feel powerless, so providing them with choices in their learning can help them regain a sense of control. This could mean letting students choose between different assignments, selecting how they want to demonstrate their understanding of a topic, or deciding how they want to contribute to a group project. By empowering students to make decisions about their learning, you help them build confidence and ownership over their education. Integrating social-emotional learning into your lessons is also a key aspect of trauma-informed teaching. Teach skills like self-regulation, empathy, and conflict resolution explicitly. Use role-playing activities, group discussions, and reflection exercises to help students practice these skills. Encourage them to reflect on how they feel and how they can manage those feelings constructively. For example, during a stressful test period, you might lead a brief mindfulness exercise to help students calm their nerves. Integrating social emotional learning into academic content is not only supportive for students who have experienced trauma but also valuable for all students. Creating a classroom environment that is trauma-sensitive also involves setting up a space that feels safe and welcoming. Consider how the physical environment of your classroom can contribute to a sense of security. Keep it clean, organized, and inviting. Display student work to foster a sense of pride and belonging. Make sure there are quiet spaces where students can go if they need a break. Provide flexible seating options and consider using calming colors or lighting to create a more relaxing atmosphere. Remember, being a trauma-informed teacher also means taking care of yourself. Working with students who have experienced trauma can be emotionally demanding, and it’s easy to experience compassion fatigue or burnout. Make sure to establish boundaries, seek support from colleagues or a supervisor, and take time for self-care. When you model self-care, you also teach your students the importance of looking after their mental health. Now that we've explored strategies for trauma-informed teaching in high school, let's move on to our special bonus segment and address a common question from parents: how does trauma-informed teaching affect their child's education? Many parents are curious about how trauma-informed teaching impacts their child's learning experience. It’s an important question, and understanding the benefits of this approach can help parents feel more confident about their child's education. Trauma-informed teaching creates a classroom environment where all students, including those who have experienced trauma, feel safe, supported, and understood. For students who have faced difficult experiences, knowing that their teacher is sensitive to their needs can make a significant difference in how they engage with their education. It can mean the difference between a student who shuts down or acts out and one who feels comfortable enough to take risks, ask questions, and participate actively in class. When teachers use trauma-informed practices, they help to build students' resilience. They provide tools and strategies for managing stress, coping with difficult emotions, and building positive relationships. This not only supports academic success but also helps students develop the skills they need to navigate challenges in all areas of their lives. Trauma-informed teaching also benefits students who have not experienced trauma directly. It fosters a classroom culture that values empathy, respect, and emotional intelligence, which are essential life skills. All students benefit from learning in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are. For parents, supporting a trauma-informed approach at home can reinforce what their child is learning at school. Encourage open communication with your child’s teacher, share any concerns or observations, and ask how you can help create a supportive environment both in and out of the classroom. Lets look at todays episode take-aways. Trauma-informed teaching is a powerful approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on learning and aims to create a classroom environment where all students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. By understanding the signs of trauma, building strong relationships, creating a structured and supportive environment, and integrating social-emotional learning, teachers can help students navigate their challenges and thrive academically and emotionally. Thank you for joining us on this deep dive into trauma-informed teaching for high school on the Teaching with Valor Podcast. For more resources on trauma-informed practices and how to implement them effectively in your classroom, check out the links in our episode description. Keep empathizing, keep supporting, and as always, keep teaching with valor.