Why Do Teachers Need to Know About Trauma-Responses?

In order for a student's prefrontal cortex to engage in judgment, critical thinking and facilitate learning and recall, one's amygdala cannot be activated. A learning environment that is predictable, safe, and has adults who have strong skills to develop attachments with their students can help to prevent the engagement of the amygdala. In addition, skillful teachers who recognize their students' triggers and signs of dysregulation can teach and model strategies for the student to learn to self-regulate. Professional development for teachers is important for them to understand the causes of dysregulation, how to prevent it in their classrooms, and view

Even though most classroom teachers are not certified therapists, the reframing of their student's behaviors, learning challenges, and the importance of attachment with their students is important to create an environment conducive to learning. Furthermore, teaching recognition and the communication of one's emotions in a proactive way is important to create a climate that meets the needs of acceptance, belonging, connections with others, and a sense of competency. When students' needs are not met in their environment, they will not feel safe enough to learn effectively since their HPA axis will be active.

CBT

Training teachers in the basic concepts of cognitive-behavioral strategies (CBT) would provide them with the understanding that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interrelated. Teaching students to recognize irrational thoughts and to acquire the skills to look for evidence to challenge their distorted thoughts could be embedded into the classroom routines and curriculum activities. Similarly, behaviors such as breathing, gross-motor movement, manipulatives, and yoga can prevent the activation of the HPA axis, contributing to calm feelings and thoughts of competency. Teachers are also in a position to model and teach problem-solving and critical thinking skills regularly while reinforcing these skills, fostering a sense of competency among the students.