Trauma in Schools #17 — Taking the Positivity Approach to Healing Student Trauma
Sandy Rutledge, Nichole Flynn, Heather Meredith — educators with the St. Clair Middle School, St. Clair, MI
The Takeaway
We need to be teachers of kids, not teachers of curriculum. We have to honor the trauma that students have been through to create positive change in the school. To help address student trauma, consider implementing a science-based trauma-informed practice that works with your school and fit the needs of students.
The Positivity Project equips Pre-K-12 schools with digital resources, training, and strategy to teach positive psychology’s 24 character strengths – see below – and empower their students to build positive relationships.
Our guests
Heather Meredith has 21 years of experience in education. Over the years she has taught 2nd through 8th grade students. Currently, she teaches 6th and 7th grade Math along with an elective class called Positivity. In addition, she advises the 5th-8th grade Student Council and is a member of the Positivity Project Committee.
Nichole Flynn is a public-school educator with 18 years of classroom experience. She is a certified Social Emotional Learning Facilitator. She is also a member of her school’s Positivity Project Committee and the ECSD Health Committee.
Sandy Rutledge is a seasoned educator with a total of 31 years of experience at the middle school and high school levels. She is currently the School Counselor at St. Clair Middle School. It is through this role that she has connected with students, staff, and families in pursuit of helping them to build positive relationships within themselves and with others in the educational setting.
As you listen
What trauma is seen among students?
How might teachers know when a student is struggling with trauma?
What can teachers learn from the Positivity Project?
What changes occur after trauma-informed learning?
How can staff-to-staff support interventions be implemented?
In their own words
Educators who work in a trauma-informed environment sound and behave differently when it comes to working with kids.
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Referenced
Connect with Nichole, Heather, and Sandy
Nichole – nflynn@ecsd.us
Heather – hmeredith@ecsd.us
Sandy – smrutledge@ecsd.us
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