Ch. 7 Managing the Emotional Demands of Teaching

"Teachers are an invaluable resource to children exposed to violence or relational trauma.  Their emotional availability and consistent presence help these children reestablish a sense of trust and learn to regulate their emotions and behavior.  The intensity of this type of responsive teaching depletes a teacher's personal and professional resources.  This demoralizes teachers and puts them at risk for burn-out or compassion fatigue.  Supports need to be in place to help teaches manage the emotional dimensions of their work and maintain their own sense of competence and well-being.  These include a willingness to take the time necessary to protect one's own physical, emotional, and spiritual health; adminstrative support for collaborative teaming; and frequent opportunities for training."

Ch. 5 Creating Opportunities for Self-Regulation & Ch. 6 Supporting the Acquistion of Reading & Writing Skills

"Children with histories of exposure to violence or relational trauma often enter school without age-appropriate self-regulatory skills.  Classroom activities that promote choice making and self-reflection help children experience themselves as competent and in control.  A classroom climate of encouragement and support provides the safe haven that these children need to face the future with confidence and hope."

"A trauma-sensitive approach to reading and writing instruction provides children with opportunities to experience the pleasure of shared reading in the company of a caring adult.  Teachers use mediated learning experiences to produce purposeful readers and precise, accurate writers.  Care is given to provide children with the emotional safety and support they need so that they can focus on what they are doing and be successful.  Comprehension strategies are introduced and practiced within a social context; in turn that encourages collaboration with one another to arrive at a better understanding of what they are reading.  Children are then better able to use what they are learning to set and achieve personal goals."