Did you know that nearly two-thirds of adult Americans surveyed across 23 states have reported having experienced at least one adverse traumatic experience? In fact, 25 percent of whom reported experiencing three or more.
There is an unfortunate prevalence of child trauma today. As an educator, it’s inevitable that you’ll detect signs of it in your own students sooner or later. You’re devoted to supporting, protecting, and empowering children, so how
can you help them overcome these situations and thrive? It starts with understanding the negative implications.
The detrimental effects of trauma on children
Adverse traumatic experiences (ACEs) are potentially distressing situations that occur in childhood. These can include stand-alone events or ongoing elements of the child’s environment.
Here are some examples of ACEs:
• Undergoing abuse
• Witnessing violence in the home or community
• Experiencing a family member attempt or die by suicide
• Observing family members’ substance misuse
• Living alongside individuals with mental health problems
• Having a parent or family member incarcerated
When this type of trauma takes place, it disrupts a child’s sense of safety and security. These circumstances undoubtedly affect not only their day-to-day attention but also their growing brains, immune systems, and even their ability to make good
choices as they grow into teenagers and adults.
Some will suffer from and even die too young from preventable diseases. Many will have their educations cut short sooner—and along with it, their ability to build a more lucrative life than their parents had. Additionally, many of these children
will have trouble trusting others, which negatively affects their ability to form healthy relationships.
“Trauma impacts students’ academics, social and emotional learning, and behavior in the schools,” says Dr. Rosie Young, Bellarmine University assistant professor of education, veteran public school teacher and principal.
The potentially harmful effects of childhood trauma are undeniable, but they aren’t inevitable. There are ways to help children conquer these conditions — and teachers can play a crucial role in making that happen.
How teachers can help students overcome trauma
With the proper knowledge and training, compassionate teachers can learn to recognize and address childhood trauma and help mitigate the negative effects it can have on their students. Bellarmine University aims to equip educators to make a difference
in this area by offering a Trauma-Informed Practices (TIP) Education concentration
as part of their
Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) Teacher Leadershipprogram.
Dr. Young is an architect of this program which uses evidence-based research and real-world wisdom to prepare teachers to effectively support students who have experienced trauma. The goal of the TIP track is to equip teachers to effect significant change
in their schools by becoming trauma-informed leaders. “Schools must develop the capacity and resources to support both the students and the educators who work with these students,” Dr. Young says. “Schools have had more and more
demands placed upon them with reduced resources, and they have to rise to the challenges they face and develop the capacity to meet these increasing demands.”
The TIP program is designed to develop teacher leaders who will be challenged to reflect continuously upon their leadership skills and actively apply them to coach and mentor their colleagues. Graduates will not only have the opportunity to hone their
own abilities in trauma-informed practice; they will also be able to support the needs of their entire school.
Your students are among the most vulnerable populations in our society. Unfortunately, you can’t realistically prevent them all from experiencing trauma. But you can help them navigate the hardship and avoid long-term negative impacts.
Trauma awareness in school is an emerging field, but the need for knowledgeable, specialized teacher leadership is in demand more than ever. With the Bellarmine MAEd in Trauma-informed Practices, you can provide that leadership. Be that educator.
Learn more about this fully-online program by visiting the Bellarmine MAEd program page.
*Rank I in Kentucky is achieved when a teacher has completed 60 hours beyond the bachelor’s program
Sources:
Cronholm. P.F., Forke, C.M., Wade, R., et al. (2015). Adverse childhood experiences: Expanding the concept of adversity. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 49(3), 354-361.
Merrick, M.T., Ford, D.C., Ports, K.A., & Guinn, A.S. (2018). Prevalence of adverse childhood experiences from the 2011-2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 23 States. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(11), 1038-1044.
Metzler, M., Merrick, M.T., Klevens, J., Ports, K.A., & Ford, D.C. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences and life opportunities: Shifting the narrative. Children and Youth Services Review, 72, 141-149.