Trauma in Schools #14 — Making a Paradigm Shift to Address Trauma in Schools
Mathew Portell— Elementary school principal; Founder of the Trauma Informed Educators Network Group
Fall-Hamilton Elementary: Transitioning to Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Learning and Student Social & Emotional Growth
Our guest
Mathew Portell has dedicated over a decade to education in his role as a teacher, instructional coach, teacher mentor, and school administrator. He currently serves as the principal of Fall-Hamilton Elementary School, an internationally recognized innovative model school for trauma-informed practices in Metro Nashville Public Schools. He is also founded the Trauma Informed Educators Network Group on Facebook, which has connected more than 26,000 educators in over 100 different countries.
The Takeaway
We prepare students to leave high school into a broken system. This situation can only change by turning to adults to answer the questions:
When students graduate, what do we want them to be able to do with their knowledge and skills as they confront uncertainty in our complex and rapidly evolving world?
How do we help students develop a sense of purpose and meaning, so that they feel they can have a positive impact in life?
We need changes in policies, practices, and training. We must work on ourselves to give students care and support to help them flourish.
As you listen
What is the impact of exclusionary practices in school?
What does a “Be Well In School” mean?
How are the current and new staff impacted by trauma-informed practices?
Why is parent involvement necessary for implementing a trauma-informed practice?
Why are communities, such as the Trauma-Informed Educators Network, crucial for schools?
In their own words
Truly trauma-informed schools work with their kids and their faculty members differently than other schools.
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