Teaching to Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chronic Stress

A large number of students in our schools are experiencing or have experienced trauma, violence, or chronic stress. Much has been written about these students from a therapeutic perspective, especially regarding how to provide them with adequate counselling supports and services. Conversely, little has been written about teaching this population and doing so from a strengths-based perspective. Using real-world examples as well as research-based principles, this book shows how to

• Identify inherent assets that students bring to the classroom.
• Connect to students’ experiences through instructional planning and delivery.
• Foster students’ strengths through the use of predictable routines and structured paired and small-group learning experiences.
• Develop family and community partnerships.

Experts Debbie Zacarian, Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz, and Judie Haynes outline a comprehensive, collaborative approach to teaching that focuses on students’ strengths and resiliency. Teaching to Strengths encourages educators to embrace teaching and school-wide practices that support and enhance the academic and socio-emotional development of students living with trauma, violence, and chronic stress.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Urgent Need for a Strengths-Based Approach

Preparing to Work with Diverse Learners

Creating a Strengths-Based Classroom Learning Environment

Scaffolding Student-to-Student Relationships

Fostering Family/Guardian Engagement

Infusing a Strengths-Based Approach Across a School

Capitalizing on Community Assets to Build Partnerships

References