Becoming a Trauma-Sensitive Educator

Jen Alexander believes we can make a positive difference in the lives of students, one relationship at a time. That's why she's a passionate leader in the movement to build trauma-sensitive schools. Known by children and adults alike as "Ms. Jen," she loves helping kids—and giving others the tools and strategies they need to help kids, too.As a former special education teacher and current school counselor in Iowa, Ms. Jen has more than 15 years of experience providing support to young people and the educators who serve them. As a popular teacher trainer, trauma expert, and author, Ms. Jen shows fellow educators what works and why when it comes to building trauma-sensitive schools. With a unique ability to connect with students, educators, other helpers, and parents, Jen is devoted to facilitating school-wide trauma-sensitive transformation through effective professional development paired with school consultation. Within minutes of working with her, educators know they are learning from someone who understands the real struggles of every day teaching and learning—and believe that change benefiting educators, students, and entire school communities is possible. Ms. Jen holds degrees in psychology and special education teaching as well as a master's degree in professional school counseling from the University of Northern Iowa. She is also a nationally certified counselor and registered school-based play therapist.

• Course Introduction (10 minutes) Get a welcome video and introduction from Ms. Jen, an outline of the course objectives, and key information learners need to know.Lesson 1: The Role of the Trauma-Sensitive Educator (1 hour, 15 minutes) Explore what it means to be a trauma-sensitive educator by discovering Ms. Jen’s Four Essentials of Building Trauma-Sensitive Schools, learning about the role and characteristics of a trauma-sensitive educator, asking critical questions, and reviewing the four “Rs” of trauma-sensitivity.Lesson 2: What Every Trauma-Sensitive Educator Needs to Know (1 hour, 15 minutes) Develop a deeper understanding of trauma, identify examples of experiences on and off campus that may cause trauma, understand common signs indicative of trauma responses, and examine post-traumatic growth.Lesson 3: Understanding Collective Stress and Trauma (1 hour) Learn what collective trauma is and explore the importance of feeling, dealing, and healing within school communities. Think about the potential effects of collective stress in your setting and learn how to help youth explore their feelings and needs.Lesson 4: Using the Four Essentials to Build a Trauma-Sensitive School – Part 1 (1 hour) Dive deeper into the Four Essentials and learn more about safety and connection. Discover how educators are implementing trauma-sensitive strategies into their classrooms.Lesson 4: Using the Four Essentials to Build a Trauma-Sensitive School – Part 2 (1 hours) Dive deeper into the Four Essentials and learn more about regulation and learning. Identify priorities and next steps for your work as a trauma-sensitive educator.Lesson 5: The Importance of Boundaries (1 hour) Understand why clear boundaries are necessary for trauma-sensitive educators and get suggestions on maintaining them. Practice one way to set a clear boundary in your professional role and learn new ideas for communicating your needs with colleagues.Final Activity (20 minutes) Divided into three parts, this final activity examines how the information you learned in this course will impact you, your entire school community, and your students. You’ll be asked to start planning how you’ll use the trauma-sensitive strategies learned in this course with your group.Bonus Module (10 minutes) Deepen your understanding with a video from educators who are working together to build trauma-sensitive learning environments and an infographic showcasing first steps educators have taken on their own journeys to become trauma-sensitive educators.