The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom: Building Resilience with Compassionate Teaching

Fully half the students in U.S. schools have experienced trauma, violence, or chronic stress. In the face of this epidemic, it falls increasingly to teachers to provide the adult support these students need to function in school. But most educators have received little training to prepare them for this role.

In her new book, Tish Jennings; an internationally recognised leader in the field of social and emotional learning; shares research and experiential knowledge about the practices that support students' healing, build their resilience, and foster compassion in the classroom.

• In Part I, Jennings describes the effects of trauma on body and mind, and how to recognise them in students' behaviour.
• In Part II, she introduces the trauma-sensitive practices she has implemented in her work with schools.
• And in Part III, she connects the dots between mindfulness, compassion, and resilience. Each chapter contains easy-to-use, practical activities to hone the skills needed to create a compassionate learning environment.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction: Why We Need Compassionate Teaching

Part I: Understanding the Brain

1. Understanding Trauma and Chronic Stress
2. When Trauma Comes to School

Part II: Addressing Trauma in Schools

3. Building Supportive Relationships
4. Creating Safe Spaces
5. Supporting Prosocial Behavior

Part III: Building Resilience with Mindful Compassion

6. Building Resilience
7. Mindful Awareness
8. Compassion
9. Cultivating Compassion in the Classroom

Conclusion

Appendix

References

Index

"Tish Jennings presents a series of self-assessments and actions that can be implemented at the classroom and school level to support the well-being of both students and educators. There are numerous ideas and actions in these pages that will help any teacher to create a caring, compassionate classroom."
- Mark T. Greenberg, Bennett Chair of Prevention Research, Founding Director, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University

"We all know that a teacher's relationship with a student has the potential to inspire them for the rest of their lives. Those pupils who've experienced trauma in their homes or communities should have that same potential. This book will make it possible for every teacher to be that guiding light that can shine for a lifetime."
- Daniel J. Siegel, MD, author of Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human

"A major contribution of this work is the comprehensive nature of the information that Professor Tish Jennings draws together. Very few scholar-educators have done such a masterful job of connecting new findings in neuroscience with trends in sociology, psychology, education, and human development. . . . The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom will be of great interest and benefit not only to teachers, but to every professional working in schools."
- Bob Planta, Dean, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia

"Dr. Jennings offers a practical description of how and why stress, adversity, and trauma impact students' school behavior and learning, as well as providing specific strategies that educators can implement right now in order to foster greater resilience and educational success among these vulnerable students. The book is an essential resource for educators."
- Robert W. Roeser, MSW, PhD, Bennett Professor of Caring and Compassion, Pennsylvania State University

"Teachers will find strategies and practices that they can immediately implement in their classrooms. The book combines the author’s expertise in mindful practices with trauma-sensitive implementation strategies that have the potential not only to strengthen and sustain teacher resilience and tenure in the field, but also to promote resilience in students."
- Teachers College Record