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.
There's no secret that in the U.S., discipline rates for Black students are highest than any other racial group. What does that say about our current discipline practices? During this presentation we will explore the critical intersection of trauma, culture, and advocacy within educational settings, with a focus on addressing the unique needs of Black students and families. Participants will learn how to recognize and address racial trauma, navigate cultural competence and bias, build trust and rapport in with their Black students, and empower these students as advocates for systemic change.
I believed that I was "trauma informed" and "responsive," until I had a child of my own who was trashing the classroom and eloping. Navigating my daughter's diagnosis, the pursuit of outside services, and working with school personnel on her behaviors has completely changed my perspective of struggling students and their families. I want to share the lessons I learned and how they affected my teaching practices so other teachers don't make the same well-meaning mistakes I did. Teachers will learn about the struggle to find outside resources, the feelings parents of struggling students experience, and how they can support families with compassion.
This is my sixteenth year in education and sixth year as the K-4 reading interventionist in Maize, KS. Prior to reading intervention, I taught third grade for ten years. I am currently working on my dissertation for a doctoral degree in educational psychology from Wichita State University... Read More →
This session equips educators with actionable strategies to collaborate with school leaders in catalyzing restorative practices. Drawing from the experience of a former assistant superintendent and the personal transformation of a former superintendent, participants will learn how to navigate leadership dynamics, foster mutual understanding, and advocate for systemic change. Attendees will explore methods to bridge the gap between policy and practice, influence leadership mindsets, and leverage data to build a shared vision for restorative schools that prioritize equity and accountability.
We will Unpack our American grand experiment on punishment and how it is ineffective and perpetuates trauma-inducing environments. If we want to stop losing kids, this is the biggest mindset shift needed to propel us forward in a trauma-informed school and community. This session will teach us how to create a shared language around punishment versus discipline. Participants will walk through several activities designed to be taken back to staff to shift paradigms and create the needed energy to transform where we currently are to where we want to go. This is an experiential and emotionally active session!
