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California ASCD and Fresno County Superintendent of Schools present:
9/18/18 - LEVEL 2 -
Fostering a Trauma Sensitive Learning Environment
with Presenter Kristin Souers, MA LMHC
"Forever Changed Not Forever Damaged"
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Hosted by: Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Location: Double Tree by Hilton, Sequoia Room, 2233 Ventura St., Fresno, CA 93721
8:30 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Level 2/Day 2: This workshop is for those who have attended Level 1/Day 1 (previously, or on September 17th) and are interested in additional, in-depth content. Please contact cascd@cascd.org for required pre-approval to possibly attend Level 2 without having attended Level 1.
"All too often, we reduce students to their experiences and make decisions about their capabilities based on those experiences. Changing our focus enables us to concentrate on nurturing the whole child and creating trauma-sensitive learning environments for all students. - "Fostering Resilient Learners" by Kristin Souers and Pete Hall, page 16.
Workshop Description:
Trauma is real, and it is more prevalent than we might believe. In this engaging, relevant, and practical session, learn from childhood trauma expert Kristin Souers (lead author of "Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for creating a trauma-sensitive classroom") about the importance of trauma informed practices in the school setting. Participants will be introduced to and provided with opportunities to reflect on information centered around the role that trauma plays in the school environment; the importance of self-awareness and regulation and strategies to support these in the school setting; the power of relationships and the role they play in the establishment and maintenance of school safety; and the importance of self-care and the need for the professionals to have tools and strategies to support their own health. This professional development experience will emphasize strength-based approaches to use with students, families, fellow faculty, school personnel, and community members.
Intended Professional Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will deepen their understanding of the prevalence of childhood trauma and the impact of trauma and toxic stress on learning and development.
- Participants will explore multiple strategies for education staff and community members to utilize with children with (known and unknown) trauma histories—helping to sustain learning-ready states.
- Participants will collaborate to identify best practices associated with trauma-informed care that they can implement into their workplace settings.
- Participants will reflect on how this information impacts their role and their overall health, collecting several suggestions for self-care and self-awareness.
Discussion Topics:
- What Does It Mean to be Trauma Informed?
- Impact of Trauma on Learning and Graduation Rate
- Strategies for Staff and Community
- Self-Care and Awareness
- Best Practice
Comments from her 10/30/17 workshop hosted by Tulare COE in Visalia:
- Great Presenter and so knowledgeable! Extremely enthusiastic! Presenter was awesome!
- She provided practical advice for the classroom - illustrated the upstairs and downstairs brain. A deeper understanding of what it means to be trauma informed and understanding difficult students
- She presented the 3 R's, videos and finding the base line and good content. Helpful and great explanation and ideas on how and why to reconnect with students
- Great strategies to help students self-regulate
- The validation of the importance of creating safe learning environments while meeting the needs of our students with trauma
- Understanding behaviors as attempts to solve a problem that becomes the basis of empowerment. Very positive view on teaching behavior
- Kristin is a fabulous presenter, she is the real deal-EVERY educator should have the privilege of hearing Kristin’s message to support all students
Workshop Presenter: 
Kristin Souers, MA LMHC: For over two decades, she has dedicated herself to the improvement of people’s lives. As a licensed mental health counselor, she has provided counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. With a history of working in the fields of early learning, law enforcement, education, and mental health, she has been able to develop an extensive knowledge base. This, partnered with her expertise in complex trauma, the impact of violence, crisis management, counseling, and trauma-informed practices in a multitude of settings. As an independent consultant and adjunct faculty member at the Gonzaga University School of Education in the Counseling Dept., Kristin now provides critical professional development, consultation, education and training services to schools, school districts, and organizations throughout the country. She has presented to hundreds of audiences, facilitated group learning, supervised internships, directed programs, and supported the learning and growth of countless educators, caregiving professionals, and other individuals.
The award-winning Publication, “Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating A Trauma-Sensitive Classroom” (ASCD 2016) and many articles published in education journals, her most recent “Responding with Care to Students Facing Trauma”, (December 2017/January 2018) have strengthened Kristin’s impact in education.
