Topic Area: Online Teaching & Learning
Presented by: Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, Kelley Blanck
Abstract:
“It is suggested that 66-85% of youth report lifetime exposure to one or more traumatic events by the time they reach college (Read, Ouimette, White, Colder, & Farrow, 2011; Smyth, Hockemeyer, Heron, Wonderlich, & Pennebaker, 2008) Trauma Informed (TI) teaching assures that students are engaged in a manner sensitive to potential adverse and traumatic experiences. Student success and learning is dependent upon preparedness of educators to address the impact of trauma on learning and development (Davidson, 2017). The current pandemic and ongoing racial injustice amplify this need.
Central to trauma informed work are principals of Safety, Trustworthiness, Choice, Collaboration and Empowerment with ongoing attention to issues of Equity and Inclusion (SAMSHA, 2020) This workshop will explore strategies that embrace these principals and can be used in classroom (in person and online) and other learning environments to support students at Michigan State University. These strategies have evolved as a part of the work of the MSU Trauma Services and Training Network (TSTN.) This network, formed in 2018, has an active and engaged learning community that has been meeting regularly for more than two years and is committed to creating a trauma informed institution.
Included in this discussion of TI teaching are course policies and procedures, integrating flexibility and choice, promoting self-reflection, growth and professional development. Additionally, approaches for responding to trauma affected students will be outlined.