Grit, Determination and Resilience: Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools is written with the consideration of the important and effective role educators and other staff who work with children every day can have on children of trauma. Daily supportive interactions from caring adults can bring healing, while using strategies in a school setting that can promote learning for children of trauma. The purpose of this book is to both support schools in their creation of trauma sensitive school systems and classrooms and provide practical strategies for educators to implement in the classroom. The strategies provided will support children and young people in their learning, their self-regulation and relationship skills. Skills such as grit, determination and resilience can be taught, and this book will provide all readers with ways to support children of trauma. The importance of understanding how trauma impacts cognitive, behavioral and social growth is emphasized with key terms outlined and discussed. This text is applicable for any pre-service teacher studying to become an educator as well. Self-care strategies for educators are also included to reduce the risk of secondary trauma and to effectively teach all children but especially children of trauma.
Colleen Lelli, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor in the Educational Specialists Department and the Director of the Center for Children of Trauma and Domestic Violence Education at Cabrini University. Dr. Lelli brings close to 25 years of experience in the education field and has published, researched and presented widely while providing teachers and professionals key strategies to support children of trauma to learn effectively in the classroom.
Preface Acknowledgement Introduction Section I: Background Knowledge for Children of Trauma Chapter 1: What Does the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study Tell Us About Educating Children of Trauma? Section II: Help! Impact of Trauma and the Interventions to Success Chapter 2: A Domestic Violence Primer for Educators Chapter 3: Impact of Trauma on Children Across Developmental Stages Chapter 4: Impact of Trauma and the Interventions for Children's Language and Memory Chapter 5: Impact of Trauma on Relationships and Self-Regulation Section III: Toolbox with More Strategies to Support Children of Trauma Chapter 6: Supporting Reading and Writing Skills for Children of Trauma Chapter 7: The Healing Power of Children's Literature Chapter 8: Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools: The Importance of Mental Health Awareness and Positive School Climate Chapter 9: Teaching Resilience, Grit and Determination Chapter 10: Practicing Self-Care for Educators About the Author
As an educator for over 20 years I have taught numerous students who have experienced trauma in their lives. The challenges of meeting their academic, social and emotional needs can be incredibly overwhelming. Now, with the expertise of Dr. Collen Lelli, educators not only have the knowledge and tangible, evidence-based strategies to address the needs of children who have experienced trauma, but also the critical skills needed to mitigate the post-secondary trauma often experienced by teachers who work with this vulnerable population. -- Kelly Ballard, EdD, head of master of special education program; assistant professor, education, Bryan Athyn College
