Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle

Trynia Kaufman is an author, speaker, and educational consultant who specializes in brain-based learning strategies, trauma-informed teaching, and disability inclusion. She has held various roles in the education sector, including special education teacher, technical assistance provider, and director of a college and career access program for youth in foster care. Trynia is the author of Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle: Academic and Emotional Supports for Struggling Learners. She has a Master of Science in neuroscience and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. You can connect with Trynia at tryniakaufman.com.

Dedication Foreword Acknowledgments About the Author Preface Part I. The Why Chapter 1. The Neuroscience of Learning Chapter 2. Disabilities and other Learning Challenges Chapter 3. Emotions, Mental Health, and Learning Chapter 4. The Vicious Cycle of Academic and Mental Health Challenges Part II. The How Chapter 5. Creating an Inclusive Classroom Culture Chapter 6. Instructional Practices to Support Struggling Students Chapter 7. Accommodations to Support Students with Mental Health Challenges Chapter 8. Supporting Students' Social-Emotional Wellbeing Resource: Supporting Students in Crisis References

"As a school counselor and former SPED teacher I often see the negative impact school has on students. This book is important because it helps general education teachers see their role in the student's life and how they can prevent school trauma from happening. I love that it gives teachers an understanding of why the brain acts the way it does and how we can help train both educator brains and student brains to respond differently. Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle is a great book to have when you are in school becoming a teacher, new to teaching, or if you have been out of school for a long time. This is a resource for anyone who needs the basics on the neuroscience of learning and trauma, any teacher who feels like they don't really 'get' how to accommodate for mental health concerns, or even a school counselor who wants to have a great resource to give out to teachers." -- Rebecca Cohen "This book should be required reading for every education major prior to student teaching as well as those already in the classroom and looking to expand their knowledge." -- Patricia Dawson "Educators know that trauma impacts students' well-being and academic performance, but they may not be sure what they can do to support students who have experienced trauma. This book provides answers: answers that are actionable, evidence-based, and practical. It takes us on a journey through the brain and into the classrooms, with clear recommendations for practice that can be implemented immediately." -- Douglas Fisher, PhD "This book offers something for every reader, explaining the importance of connecting the dots between the science of teaching and learning, educational neuroscience, and critical contexts that enhance or create barriers to learning." -- Sheldon Horowitz, EdD "One of the most significant realizations for me as an educator has been the importance of bringing together both the foundation for effective instructional practices (the why) and the means by which to build on that foundation (the how). It is not effective to attend to one while leaving the other unexplored. There is an art and skill to this work. It is nuanced and possible to do well with a roadmap. In Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle, Kaufman provides readers with such a roadmap, walking alongside us, providing those who guide children-pre-service and in-service educators, parents, and caregivers-with the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to create and sustain authentic, inclusive, inviting, and holistic learning spaces and experiences that truly support and engage all learners." -- Afrika Afeni Mills "In a world where education is meant to be a beacon of enlightenment and personal growth, When School is the Trauma courageously confronts a deeply concerning reality: the potential for academic environments to inadvertently perpetuate trauma. This book is not merely a publication; it's a revolutionary wake up call to action, urging readers to reevaluate and reshape educational practice for the well-being of every child. We have an urgent need for this change in our educational systems." -- Renee Nealon "Trynia Kaufman eloquently shares critical information about mental health issues from a brain science perspective that every educator should know. She offers practical strategies that can be implemented right away to create inclusive learning environments for all students, with a sensitive and informed perspective on how to support the emotional well-being of each individual." -- Allison Posey "Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle is extremely relevant to practitioners. Trynia Kaufman provides an easy readability and made me feel I was having a conversation with her. The book provided a solid overview of the most readily available techniques to use in the classroom right now. The background information was written with clarity for anyone to read, although parents without background knowledge would also be able to read and understand this book." -- Betty Rivinus "Taking into account the emotional and behavioral barriers to student learning is an essential part of teaching to the whole student. There is a dearth of resources for mid-career educators, and Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle serves to meet that need. It builds upon current knowledge, giving educators helpful reminders and new ideas for accommodations and supporting the education of students with high-incidence learning challenges. It seems to speak to social and emotional well-being and the impact of mental health on student learning, which is something that we can sometimes forget in our day-to-day work with students." -- Michael Cady Russell "All teachers, not just early career, will benefit from this book. It is foundational to any other SEL and mental health work." -- Catherine Sosnowski "In Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle, Kaufman has blended two important contemporary topics-learning challenges and mental health. Educators, administrators, and systems will benefit from having shared knowledge and guided conversations on how best to support students experiencing either or both challenges. This book can be used to guide these conversations and provides practical, realistic, and useful guidance for educators. " -- Jacqueline Thousand "This book is equally informative as it is entertaining. Much like my students, who always want to know why, the first part gave me much-needed context on the interconnectedness between learning, emotions, and mental health. Part Two provided actual solutions to navigating the modern classroom. There is no doubt in my mind that this book will make teaching easier for the educators who check it out!" -- Malcolm Tillerson, Jr