Now, more than ever, in a world of stress, disadvantage and unpredictability, schools struggle to manage the confronting needs of some of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable learners- those suffering complex trauma. This type of trauma stems from repeated interpersonal harm done to children, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, significant neglect, and the experience of family or other relational violence. These young people present with increased cognitive, emotional, and behavioural challenges at school. Behaviour management techniques that may work for most students often fail when used with trauma-impacted children.
Trauma-aware education provides a refreshed and informed way of supporting and educating young learners who have lived through significant harm and deserve our best efforts.
In this day-long seminar, Dr Judith Howard will explain what a trauma-aware approach to education is and why is it vital? She will draw from science and other research to examine the impact of complex trauma on the development and education experience of children and young people and will explain, with great examples, how educators and other support professionals, education sites, and education systems can respond to address this impact.
Participants will leave with a thorough understanding of the impacts of stress and trauma, while also building their toolboxes with trauma-sensitive strategies that can be implemented immediately in their work and educational setting. This seminar is a must for all educators, school administrators, and other helping professionals who work in or with schools.
Dr Judith Howard is an Associate Professor in the School of Early Childhood and Inclusive Education at the Queensland University of Technology.
Dr Howard’s work has had a keen focus on the concerns of children and young people who have experienced complex trauma and promotes a neuroscience informed approach.
Use the code GAZETTE to receive a 5% discount on this workshop
