Fostering Trauma Aware Classrooms

Do you want to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment? This 3-part workshop series equips educators with tools to understand the impact of trauma on learning and develop strategies for a compassionate classroom. These workshops were designed to build on one another and we encourage participation in all sessions. That being said, we recognize the reality of conflicting schedules, high demands on your time and the need to prioritize. You have the option to register for individual workshops if you cannot commit to the full series.

In these interactive sessions, you will:

• Learn how trauma affects students’ learning and executive skills.
• Explore your role in balancing care with healthy boundaries.
• Gain practical strategies to build an inclusive, supportive classroom.

Whether you are new to trauma-aware pedagogy or looking to deepen your practice, this series offers a space to grow and connect. Join us to create classrooms where every learner can thrive!

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this series, you will be able to:

• • Define your role as educator in relation to the impact of trauma on students
  • Appreciate the importance of the impact of trauma on your teaching
  • Consider strategies to help make your classroom more trauma-aware

Part 1: The Invisible Barrier: How Trauma Impacts Learning

Explore the neuroscience of trauma and its effects on students’ executive skills, emotions, and learning capacity. This session lays the groundwork for understanding how trauma shapes the classroom experience.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this workshop, you will be able to

• • Define the impact of trauma on executive skills, in particular teaching and learning
  • Explain why it is important to consider trauma in pedagogy
  • Appreciate the importance of the impact of trauma on your teaching

Part 2: Balancing Care: Your Role as an Educator in a Trauma-Aware Classroom

Reflect on your positionality and capacity as an educator. Learn strategies to provide compassion and support while maintaining healthy boundaries for you and your students.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this workshop, you will be able to

• • Reflect on how we understand & experience the impacts of trauma on ourselves and how that shapes our teaching
  • Explore the boundaries of your role as instructors in higher education as it relates to trauma-aware pedagogy

Part 3: Fostering Trust and Engagement: Trauma-Aware Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms

Discover actionable approaches to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. This session focuses on integrating trauma-aware practices into your teaching to foster a culture of trust and engagement.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this series, you will be able to

• Explore the diversity of students at UBC and their lived experiences
• Reflect on how students experience the impacts of trauma and how that shapes their learning
• Brainstorm strategies to offer a trauma-aware environment in our classroom that is informed by our positionality and capacity (this includes self-care and compassion)