As
Principal of an all kindergarten school (averaging over 500 “little
ones”), our vision statement reads “Sun Valley
Elementary….The Foundation for Success!”
This not only means academically, but emotionally and socially as
well. Don’t we all want to believe that
every one of our students is capable of succeeding in all aspects, no matter
what grade level? At Sunnyside School
District, we are “Learning
Today for a Brighter Tomorrow!” I like
to think this not only connects to our students but what about professional
learning for our staff? Students today
are facing more trauma and adverse childhood experiences than ever before and a
new understanding is imperative to their success.
This
past June, I had the opportunity to attend the “Trauma Informed
Practice Summit” featuring Kristin Souers, Mental Health Consultant. As we start the new school year, we have
already identified students with behaviors coming forward and we anticipate new
behaviors that we have never seen before, either from returning students or
students new to our building.
As
mentioned at the summit, trauma is related to exceptional experiences. It does not only pertain to one event, but
can encompass powerful and/or dangerous events over time that can overwhelm
the child’s capacity to cope and learn. We know that some of our students come to us
experiencing the loss of a family member or witnessing a tragic death, and we
also have those students who come to us on a daily basis wondering if there
will be food on the table or a place to sleep for the night. Some wonder if their parent is going to jail
for the second and third time, and when they will see their mom or dad
again. It wasn’t far into my
educational career, I realized that even these five year olds have seen or
experienced situations that I have never seen in my lifetime. My heart breaks for them.
Unfortunately,
the numbers continue to rise for students of all age groups with these types of
experiences that develop into physical, mental or emotional needs. Severe behaviors are escalating. How can we help them? How can I team with my staff and deepen our
understanding of the prevalence of childhood and adolescence trauma and the
effect it has on their ability to learn?
How can I support my staff and move them to have a heart of compassion
and understanding for that “one
student”
while struggling to continue to provide a safe and learning environment for the
other 20 plus students in the classroom? I can tell you that attending the “Trauma Informed
Practice Summit”
was extremely valuable.
Attending
the summit, Kristen provided strategies and ideas to create and empower a
culture and learning environment that supports all of our students and those
with specific behavior needs. Information was delivered regarding the lack of brain development from
exposure to continued stress and/or experiencing trauma.
Learning
about students who “flip their lids” opened our eyes to new
understanding of being ready or not ready to learn. And, we learned, how we ourselves set the
tone for the day…what is the message we relate to “those children”, the
ones who are struggling and we are having difficulty with?
When
I returned home from the summit, fortuitously I had mail that tied to my new
learning and reinforced my already held beliefs about having compassion for ALL
children. My mail contained a statement
quoted by Lady Bird Johnson that said, “Children are likely to
live up to what you believe in them.” I
thought to myself, do we value or de-value our students when they walk through
the front door of our building or through the front door of our classrooms…the
door that might be their only “safe” place? Am I accepting or do I give up on them leaving
them feel even more deflated than when they walked through that door? We have ample opportunities to provide
students to view and experience situations differently, in a more trusting and
positive way. It is up to us.
As
I sat there amongst a team of counselors, administrators, teachers and
community partners, I couldn’t help but take this further to reflecting not
only on the students in my building, but what about my staff? This subject of trauma is one that can also
affect our colleagues and employees, giving us insight for those that can be
difficult to work with. As we strive to
achieve a positive and successful environment for everyone, educating ourselves
about trauma and exceptional experiences can be one of our greatest
professional learning’s.
I
am grateful that this fall our district is providing training for all staff on
the effects of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences. We all know in our hearts that there is
always something behind the behavior.
You can learn from Kristen the power of de-escalation, ways to be
pro-active, and ways to connect and support your students (yes and even staff!)
and give them a caring, safe and comfortable arena so the learning can take
place. As we embark on this new learning
and understanding together, let us help our students who experience the darker
moments to enjoy a brighter tomorrow!
Submitted By:
Jeri Paulakis, Principal
Sun Valley Elementary/Sunnyside School District
Jeri.paulakis@sunnysideschools.org
Kirsten
Souers will be providing Trauma Informed Practice Summit, October 27, 2017 at
Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Register Here
