Taking a trauma-responsive approach to student intervention and discipline can mean making a lot of changes to how we respond to students. We can focus on using regulation, we can use neuroscience-aligned interventions, and we can provide significant levels of support, but what about when it’s STILL NOT WORKING? What can we do when all the things that SHOULD be working AREN’T?!
Consultations with school districts across the country, often on their most difficult student cases, have provided Rick & Doris with a unique opportunity to see themes in the deeper layers of how to help staff effectively work with students who are struggling and suffering the most, and often presenting the most challenging behaviors. Come learn how to take things a layer deeper to accomplish a shift in these students for whom nothing else has worked!
Nationally regarded experts on the topics of Trauma-Informed and Resiliences practices, Bowman Consulting Group is known for their content solidly anchored in the most current neuroscience and coherence research, and translating these into actionable practices for educators and mental... Read More →
Balance Auditory Vision Exercises is a series of about 300 exercises that use sandbags and racquet balls to provide patterned, repetitive, rhythmic, safe physical movement. These exercises can be used by individuals for self-regulation or in small and large groups for co-regulation experiences. Participants in this session will learn a brief history of BAVX, and watch a short demonstration. The majority of the session will focus on the participants learning the foundational techniques and experiencing the beginning BAVX exercises in both partner and small group configurations. Connections to both the CASEL core competencies and executive functions will be emphasized so that participants gain an understanding of how BAVX supports the principles of trauma-informed care. The target audience for this session will be educators interested in providing physical movement as an option for student regulation.
Do long-term suspension and expulsion hearings feel like the worst part of your job as a school leader? Do you wonder how the student will address the initial concern while also wondering if they can return to the school setting successfully? It feels terrible to expel students. Sometimes we don't have a choice, and while we take a collective breath after the chaos, the student is likely alone with more gaps and less positive connection in their near future.
Come learn how building B.R.I.D.G.E.S. can restore relationships, address student behaviors, and set the student on a path to success. Participants will leave this session with tools and strategies to address behaviors before the need for a hearing arises, as well as resources and solutions for use during and after the hearing process. Leaders will learn how to utilize empathy maps and restorative practice reentry circles designed to highlight students’ strengths and areas of concern, the tremendous growth occurring during the suspension/expulsion, and to talk plainly about challenges as all stakeholders prepare for the student’s return to school. Experience how we can work together as we build restorative bridges to support the student, family, and staff members to prioritize future success.
Director of Essdack Learning Centers/ Resilience Team , Carmen
Carmen Zeisler is the Director of the ESSDACK Learning Centers, an Educational Consultant/Coach, and a co-founding member of the ESSDACK Resilience Team. In Learning Centers, she has been instrumental in leading a Redesign process through Project-Based Learning. In schools, Carmen... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Venters RS314
This is an interactive, resource-rich session. We will discovery free, research-based tools for your school, classroom, or community. Building on the foundational concepts behind restorative justice and inclusive environments, you will create a sort of toolbox that works for you! Come ready to dream big and feel empowered!
After over 20 years in the K-12 classroom, Dr. Johnson joined Ottawa University as the lead faculty for the school of education. During her two years at Ottawa, Dr. Johnson has written and implemented four different MEd programs, written a program to help individuals earn their Master's... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Herrman RS262
This presentation is for those who already grasp the "why?"' behind the need for trauma-sensitive/nervous system-focused/brain-based homes and schools. If you want to get to the "what now?" by diving into accessible strategies, then this is the session for you. I will fit as many ready-to-implement strategies into the timeframe as possible.
The brain behaves differently depending on its emotional state. Bruce Perry references this as "state dependent functioning." This seems like an obvious truth to most on an individual level when we consider our personal experiences. We have all made better or worse decisions depending on how we were feeling in a given moment. However, how much of our educational system, procedures, protocols, practices, school cultures, instructional design are built to support and incorporate this understanding? This presentation contends the answer to this question historically is, "very little." This session is designed to explore how we have, or more importantly, how we can factor state dependent functioning into our work as educators. Why is this important? Critical? As our emotional states shift as adults or students, the amount and type of access we have to our cognitive abilities changes. Our IQ is impacted. If student learning, safety and well-being are priorities, we not only need to understand state dependent functioning, but how we can use this understanding in our various roles.This session is designed to explore how we have, or more importantly, how we can factor state dependent functioning into our work as educators. Why this is important... Critical.
Participants get ready!! You will release stress from daily life; envision what renewal looks, feels and sounds like; consider physcial, emotional, cognitive and spiritual domains as possible areas for renewal, and set intentions for renewal. Activities include mindful movement, partner sharing and journaling.
Understanding trauma and its effects on learning and behavior is crucial for educators and school personnel in creating safe and supportive environments for all students. This session aims to equip educators with practical strategies and insights to effectively support all students, especially those who have experienced trauma. Participants will delve into the concept of trauma, it's profound impact on students' neurological development, emotional regulation strategies for staff and students, and restorative approaches to transforming discipline in classrooms and schools that promote authentic accountability.
Author, Keynoter, Consultant, Resilience Team Member, ESSDACK
Ginger is a national consultant & keynote speaker with ESSDACK, a non-profit education service center based in Hutchinson Kansas. She inspires and helps all levels of educators figure out the ins and outs of Project/Problem/Passion Based Learning, technology integration, and working... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Lucas RS265
Understanding trauma and its effects on learning and behavior is crucial for educators and school personnel in creating safe and supportive environments for all students. This session aims to equip educators with practical strategies and insights to effectively support all students, especially those who have experienced trauma. Participants will delve into the concept of trauma, it's profound impact on students' neurological development, emotional regulation strategies for staff and students, and restorative approaches to transforming discipline in classrooms and schools that promote authentic accountability.
While trauma-informed practices must be rooted in Tier 1 and continued in Tier 2, schools still have some students requiring more intensive intervention. Out-of-school suspensions contribute to the school to prison pipeline, and our students need to remain at school more than ever. This session's objective is to outline an alternative program that identifies and supports students proactively, minimizes out-of-school suspensions, and continues to support students once they return to the general education classroom all while heavily involving parents and classroom teachers.
In this session, we will discuss some social-emotional learning strategies for middle school students. We'll talk about why some work, and some don't work and how to apply them in alternative and traditional classroom settings.
We've all taken note of how wiggly our early-learning students can be, but what does that have to do with their stress-response? It's been proven that children need even more sensory input than adults to stay calm and regulated. This training will use brain science to explain why. Using a foundational understanding of the mind-body connection, we will also provide some hands-on strategies for incorporating movement into the classroom for healthier, more regulated kids and teachers.
Embark on a dynamic exploration of brain-based learning for K-2 students. Discover innovative strategies that demystify the brain's complexities, empowering young learners. Gain insights into introducing key concepts about the brain, amygdala, pre-frontal cortex, and hippocampus. Our session offers practical tools, making neuroscience accessible and enjoyable. Learn to seamlessly integrate brain education, fostering self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Explore Amygdala Reset Stations strategically placed in the learning environment, providing invaluable tools for emotional regulation. Join us for an interactive session equipping educators to create a positive, brain-friendly atmosphere for the youngest learners, fostering curiosity, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
Come hear how Youth Core Ministries and ESSDACK are breaking the cycle of poverty in rural communities. Core Circles equips those in poverty by empowering them with education and social capital.14 Adults with 7 Kids have completely left economic poverty and have seen their combined annual income grow from $164,244 to $332,856. 77% of all tracked graduates have stabilized their financial situation. The poverty in our communities can truly be resolved. Join us to learn about this powerful program with actual results and see how people are walking out of financial poverty forever!
Being able to de-escalate a student and/or adult is a crucial skill in today’s classroom environment. We all have learned basic de-escalation skills but have you ever looked at it from a brain perspective? In this session, we will learn how to evaluate which part of the brain has been activated during a crisis and learn how to bring that portion of the brain back to reality all while keeping ourselves regulated as well.
Are you looking to increase student engagement and achievement? This session will equip you with the tools to see the world through your students' eyes. By understanding their emotional needs, intellectual curiosity, and perceived challenges, you can create a more personalized and meaningful learning experience.
Take a journey with me as we experientially feel the emotions and dysregulation a special education student may feel in any classroom. Then we'll see and feel the difference when trauma responsive and restorative justice practices are implemented.
"Expressive writing research shows many positive effects such as increased GPA, decreased dropout rates, improved immune function, decreased depression and anxiety, and lessens some post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Overall it promotes mental health.
During this presentation, we are going to be looking at how the old stories we and our students have in our heads influence the way we perceive ourselves and how these old stories hold us back from overcoming challenges and achieving our goals and dreams. In response to these old stories, participants will learn an expressive writing activity called The Imagine Project that individuals can use for themselves and in their schools or classrooms to start the process of overcoming old stories that represent trauma and stress and creating new ones that lead to post-traumatic growth.
In summary, participants will be introduced and led through a 7-step expressive writing activity, The Imagine Project, that will help them overcome old stories of trauma/stress and create new stories of post-traumatic growth as well as be introduced to resources of how to use this expressive writing activity for their schools, classrooms, and themselves. "
Director of Field Experiences & Assistant Professor of Education, Park University
As the Director of Field Experiences and Assistant Professor of Education at Park University, Brant pours himself into his work with education practicum students, cooperating teachers, and local school districts; in doing so, he represents Park University’s commitment to academic... Read More →
Tuesday April 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Venters RS314
