The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent school closures have brought unprecedented changes to education in America. For many students, this pandemic and the escalation of this crisis is the first time their lives have been completely uprooted by external events. Considering the drastic and immediate changes to school life—and life in general—it is vital for school leaders, educators, and students to provide stability and guidance to each other. 

We know it’s been difficult to support students and colleagues, inside and outside the classroom, while practicing social distancing. But, it’s essential to maintain and build positive relationships among students and between students and adults, even remotely. That’s why we blocked off the month of April for a month-long focus on the XQ School Design Principle, caring and trusting relationships. 

To start, we’ve re-upped a list of tips from XQ school staff on how teachers can create supportive environments for vulnerable students. This advice from educators about helping students who have experienced trauma can help you help students with what they’re managing today. 

TIPS FROM MOLLY GRAHAM, MENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR AT WASHINGTON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY:

What is trauma? 

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, as defined by the survivor, that is beyond the survivor’s capacity to cope. Emotional responses to trauma can include shock, denial, unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and physical symptoms.

Secure attachment vs. insecure attachment.

There is a direct correlation between students’ emotional skills, which begin to form in early childhood, and student success. A secure attachment can lead to self-confidence, self-regulation, and an ability to navigate other relationships. An insecure attachment can lead to an anticipation of negative interactions with teachers, peers, and school staff, which can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Implicit trauma memories and responses.

Trauma memories can be triggered by events or scenarios that we as adults know are not threatening but can be perceived as threatening to students. Behavior is a way of communication. It’s like an iceberg – we only see the surface behavior, not the underlying cause or trigger.

Building the environment.

There are a number of classroom strategies that can assist with building a trauma-informed environment. Some strategies include: learning as much about the student as possible; modeling calmness; providing opportunities for increased self-worth; avoiding power struggles; giving specific praise; setting clear limits on expectations and behavior; using a buddy/support system; providing safe spaces; offering choices when possible; anticipating difficult times and planning for them; using post-it notes for silent intervention; modeling tone; and avoiding sarcasm.

Tips from Anastasia Resner, case manager, and social worker, and De’Amonta Casey, school psychologist, both at Da Vinci RISE:

Mindset.

A trauma-informed environment begins with a shift in mindset. Behavior is like an iceberg. Use the 10/90 rule when thinking about student behaviors: 10 percent is what you can see, while 90 percent is what’s going on beneath the surface.

Approach.

Building a trauma-informed environment involves a few approaches. Connect: focus on relationships. Protect: promote safety and trustworthiness. Respect: engage in choice and collaboration. Redirect: encourage skill-building and competence.

Strategies.

Consistency and choice are key to successful classroom strategies. Create a sense of consistency and have clear expectations and predictable consequences. It’s crucial to show consistent and controlled reactions and give students choice rather than ultimatums. By normalizing mistakes and framing them as learning opportunities, you empower students to grow.

Do you have teaching tips you’d like to share with XQ readers? Fill out this form to become an XQ Blog Contributor.

Want to learn more about how to support students during COVID-19? Check out these other recent posts from the XQ Blog:

• Teaching for Remote Learning: Lessons We’ve Learned so Far

• High School Resources for Remote Learning During COVID-19 School Closures

• Why Is Media Literacy Important, Especially in the Wake of COVID-19?

• A Teacher’s Guide to Remote Learning

Hana Beach

Editorial Associate, XQ Institute. Hana is a recent graduate of Barnard College in New York and has spent the last two years working around issues of economic inequality, welfare reform, and gender justice.