Trauma Informed Educational Practice

Based on the SAMHSA trauma informed definitions, organizations implement trauma informed approaches in their daily work by applying the principles, or the 4 R’s. (Guarino et al., 2009)

Dr. Giocomucci. Trauma-Informed Care: The Four 'R's. [YouTube].

People at all levels of the organization or system have a basic realization about trauma and understand how trauma can affect families, groups, organizations, and communities as well as individuals in your classroom.

People’s experience and behavior are understood in the context of coping strategies designed to survive adversity and overwhelming circumstance.

(Masselli & Bergan, n.d). 

People in the organization or system are also able to recognize the signs of trauma in self or others.

Dr. Fox. Trauma Informed Teaching. [YouTube]. 

The educational program, organization, or system responds by applying the principles of a trauma-informed approach to all areas of functioning.

(Trauma Informed Oregon, n.d.)

Trauma Informed Leaders/Teachers embody some of the following characteristics:

Emotional characteristics such as:

Humble • Compassionate • Has sense of humor • Vulnerable • Good emotional intelligence • Growth mindset • Patient • Accountable • Creative • Empathetic • Consistent • Curious – asks questions • Transparent • Collaborative • Warm and welcoming • Conscientious of differences • Compassionate • Approachable • Open to feedback • Welcoming • Good listener • Open minded • Dependable • Not inclined toward micro aggression

(Trauma Informed Oregon, 2020; Trauma Informed Oregon, 2017)

Educators, students, and staff who work within a trauma-informed environment are taught to

• recognize how organizational/teaching practices may trigger & re-traumatize both students and themselves
• work to create policies to enhance resilience
• prevent re-traumatization through Trauma Informed Educational Practices