Teacher Professional Development – Book Study

Title of book: Fostering Resilient Learners; Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom by: Kristin Souers & Pete Hall

This month launched a book study that our teachers will be participating in for professional development. Fostering Resilient Learners; Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom offers different techniques and strategies for teachers to implement into their classrooms to help all students experience a successful school year.

In addition, teachers will develop an understanding of what trauma is and how it can negatively impact learning. According to the authors, quite a bit of research has been conducted and determined that traumatic experiences can affect the development of the brain. What this means is that the brain can shift its operation from development to stress response or survival mode such as flight, fight, or freeze. The more we learn about our students, how the human brain learns, and the different ways of teaching, the better we can keep our students engaged.

After reading this book, teachers will be able to offer their students a safe and nurturing environment where learning can and will take place. Teachers will also become more effective at teaching, as well as building positive relationships with their students that may last a lifetime.

-Dawn Cobbs, Early Education Principal