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By Adam Peshek, Education Next, October 2020 With tens of millions of students facing months without consistent schooling, some states are stepping up to provide support directly to families. This is counter to the education narrative we see that focuses on power struggles within a system that is supposed to be focused on kids. Instead, the focus has been on teacher strikes , congressional debates over funding , and court battles on when and how schools reopen. Meanwhile, families have been...

From Pauls Valley Democrat, October 6, 2020 State Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, recently hosted an interim study examining the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress on children’s behavior in the classroom and efforts schools can take to help avoid suspension. The study was held before the House Common Education Committee. “Violence in the classroom has become a nationwide epidemic,” said Conley, whose District 20 includes an eastern portion of Garvin County. [...

Please join us on 10/15 along with special guest Bryan Clement, MEd from Dovetail Learning as we discuss educator well-being. Educators are being asked to learn and grow professionally and personally during this unique time. During this week's session you will explore your own self-awareness regarding your 'protective patterns' and learn practical skills for resilience to remain 'centered' while navigating telehealth support and teaching at a distance. As a trauma informed, healing centered...

The Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) is excited to announce the line-up for its upcoming 2021 Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference, to be held virtually February 15 thru 18, 2021. On Monday, February 15, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson kicks off the conference with her presentation: Teaching During A Pandemic . On Tuesday, Dr. Ingrid Cockhren will speak about The State of the Black Child , an important and timely presentation that will look at racial trauma and the impact on child...

I received this text message in the early morning hours during one of my many sleepless nights grappling with how to safely reopen school. Nelba, the mom who asked this question, is from Sandy Hook. The story behind the message is that she is a parent who has already had an unthinkable loss at school. Nelba reached out to me asking how she can make a safe decision to send her surviving son to school in the midst of a pandemic. We don’t have answers for communities like Nelba’s that were...

Join us on Wed., Oct. 14 for a free webinar about preventing trauma and suicide through in-school and out-of-school supports As the school year gets underway, local governments and community-based partners across the country are seeking to increase support for young people and prevent adverse childhood experiences and youth suicide. The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the lives of millions of children across the US. The education system has pivoted toward online learning and hybrid models...

Introducing a new course for educators! Aligned with the Danielson Framework for Teaching and other standards, this course is the first step to truly understanding and fully implementing a trauma-informed approach in your classroom! Studies indicate that a significant portion of the population have experienced trauma, or harmful or life-threatening events which have impacted their everyday functioning or well-being. Research shows that individuals living in poverty or with a disability are...

By Jack Springgate, October 1, 2020, WNDU. BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. (WNDU) -As many students return to in-person learning, school districts are showing that mental health is a top priority. 16 News Now tells us how Berrien County law enforcement agencies and Berrien RESA are working together to put these words into actions. The Handle with Care partnership discretely gives teachers the information they need to address students in their classroom who may be processing a traumatic event. Teachers...

By Azure Gilman, Hechinger Report, October 3, 2020 John was having some trouble in class. The seventh grader had been diagnosed with ADHD and a language disorder that makes processing verbal and nonverbal cues a challenge. Despite extra support he received through his Individualized Education Plan for students with disabilities, John often felt overwhelmed by the chaos of his middle school classroom. “He just gets distracted,” said his mother, Alex, who spoke on the condition that her last...

By Austa Somvichian-Clausen | October 1, 2020, The Hill. 1 in 5 Americans have learning disabilities and attention issues, and many are now falling behind in school. October marks the start of Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - a time designated to acknowledging the challenges, and accomplishments, of those with learning impairments since a 1985 proclamation by President Reagan. Today it's recognized by educational organizations throughout the country, which utilize the month of October...

By Karen D'Souza, EdSource, October 1, 2020 Stomping through puddles, scrambling over fallen logs and digging in the dirt with sticks may not sound like traditional educational activities, but they are core parts of the curriculum in “forest schools.” Learning amid the leaves is the hallmark of a forest school, an immersive outdoor education model devoted to the exploration of nature. Forest schools, which have their roots in Scandinavian educational tradition, generally focus on preschool...

I know I say this often, you REALLY dont want to miss this week's episode of 'A Better Normal- Education Upended', it is going to be fantastic! Join us Thursday 10/8 as we welcome our special guests from the Partnership for Resilience to discuss their new report, done in partnership with the Harvard Education Redesign Lab , " Rebuilding for a New Normal: A Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trauma-Responsive Schools and Key Recommendations for Communities (Lombard, IL:...