Episodes

Summer creates feelings of joy and relief from hectic school schedules for most, but for about 30 percent of school-aged children, it causes feelings of dread or even fear. Statistics show that for high-risk students receive more than an education during the school year. Schools are their safe place where they are fed and feel safe each day. Part of becoming trauma-informed means moving beyond awareness to practical steps. This episode covers 5 ways to hedge against childhood adversity in the su...

Micro-insults are no new phenomenon. Lean in as we discuss what they are, the negative impacts they have on development and emotional well-being, and practical strategies to swap outdated slurs for upstanding language. From minimizing females to over-sexualizing them through media and language, to awareness and accountability, and letting kids be free from limiting shaming and blaming. It's time to double down on schools that feel safe - especially from micro-insults. Don't forget to access your...

In today's episode, we're talking about how sensory regulation through a trauma-informed multi-tiered system of supports is the missing link in moving the needle for student success at your school. My original research exposed that as a school counselor, I had spent over 500 hours on crisis intervention (putting out fires) in one academic calendar year. Statistically, knowing the prevalence of trauma in early childhood, I knew those hours weren't spent on willful disobedience, but on guiding st...

Given the prevalence of screen use in children under two years of age, as a champion for child development and well-being, the negative impacts must be addressed. There is a plethora of research that emphasizes the importance of healthy touch, serve-and-return patterns that build trust, and the chemical changes in the brain that either support or inhibit emotional regulation. We will discuss the growing divide between recommendations for screen use and secure attachment, and some practical strat...

Join me as I welcome Tracy Redfearn on this episode of Guests with GRIT to highlight the power of protective factors within community partnerships. We discuss the prevalence of adversity impacting students today and the benefits of empowering educators and parents with tools for resilience. Pull up a seat and join the conversation on the benefits of creating safe spaces for children from hard places through trauma-informed schools and systems. Tracy shares the successes and struggles of advocacy...

Join me on the latest episode of Guests with GRIT to explore the impacts of adversity and the power of protective factors through the lens of Senator Mike Reichenbach. Lean in as we discuss his testimony of risk to resilience through his adoption journey and how his family shaped his heart for child advocacy. We identify challenges of adversity, including the strain on systems such as schools, the medical system, corrections, and the workforce and discuss the findings of the Joint Legislative Co...

Join me on the Guests with GRIT series where we will spend time hearing the stories of individuals who have overcome adversity in inspiring ways. This episode highlights Tiffani, a self-proclaimed kid from hard places, as she gives testimony to the impact of early childhood trauma in her life. In her account, she discloses childhood abuse that went unrecognized despite her prominent family's status and good intentions. We will uncover the myth of willful disobedience and shift our eyes to the su...

Felt-Safety is a powerful tool in the hands of educators and parents alike. Felt-safety means not just physically being safe, but feeling safe in one's environment. Children from hard places often have a hard time distinguishing real threats from perceived ones and can greatly benefit from some preventive measures of support. Empowering educators and parents with practical tools to cut down on fight-or-flight behaviors is well worth the time spent on prevention, and eliminates the need for inte...

Join me as we follow Brian, a student from hard places with a high ACE score on a typical school day. In this vignette, I will expose the missed opportunities of non-trauma-informed schools and highlight the preventive and protective factors of schools implementing these best practices.

I will debunk some behavior myths and expose how children labeled as willfully disobedient are actually in survive mode. Also, we will take a look at some ways schools might be missing the mark and I'll share some more productive solutions for mitigating childhood trauma. Show Notes: Overcoming Adversity blog link to free download: https://www.overcomingadversityllc.com/post/trauma-informed-schools-a-call-to-action

Join me as I recount my first experiences with students from hard places through providing school-wide support for school districts- the challenges and the successes of implementing trauma-informed schools.