Few are the students in the current classroom environment who have not or will not undergo stress and/or trauma in their life. What constitutes “trauma” may have a documented definition, varies from student to student.

In this session participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences in the classroom regarding teaching students who, for various reasons, have experienced trauma and who are undergoing stressful situations in their day-to-day life. Research on how stress affects the brain and the rates of stress and trauma impacting different demographic groups of children (e.g., cultural, ethnic) will be covered. The presenter will discuss the impact of various types of traumas and stress that students may experience with respect to family situations, intercultural transitions, learning a second language, disabilities, and how these impact learning in the classroom. Strategies to promote resilience and motive will be reviewed. In addition, the session will address how educators can monitor their own stress levels and understand how their perceptions impact their reactions to student behavior.

Are you working with general education students? Students with disabilities? In related service settings? This session is appropriate for you!