Description
Meeting your students’ social and emotional needs in the classroom is foundational to effective learning. It’s a difficult job among typical learners, let alone with students who have a trauma history and more demanding mental health or behavioral challenges.
Mental health expert Jennifer Bashant details how using a trauma-informed approach will greatly reduce, even eliminate, challenging behavior in your classroom. Using her practical, easy-to-use strategies based on the latest research, every educator can create a classroom where all students feel welcomed, supported, and ready to learn.
- Understand the impact of trauma on learning and behavior
- Tools to connect with all students, and foster intrinsic motivation
- Learn how to move away from points and stickers
- Strategies to build resilience and instill hope in your students
- 27 downloadable worksheets and exercises
Todd Hilgendorff (verified owner) –
Greenville Central School District has had the great fortune of working with Dr. Jennifer Bashant for the past 5 years on a variety of projects. Jenn approaches her work with educators with practical suggestions that are straightforward and doable. This approach is very evident in this book as it provides a number of teacher worksheets that can be used immediately to assist with better understanding where students are at and what they need for growth and support. As a previous science teacher, I also appreciate the level of research based strategies and content that Jenn includes in her book. If you are looking for a book that will assist you in the classroom starting tomorrow, then this is the book for you! Highly recommend!
Jennifer Oertel (verified owner) –
As an educator, I am always reading professional books to better my practice. Oftentimes those texts are not to the point and offer little real-world help that I can use immediately. This is not that book. This book is succinct in its delivery and is easy to use. It offers checklist and worksheets for both teacher and student. This book inspires you to believe that you can start tomorrow with developing a collaborative classroom and one in which you can teach students not only to be self-aware but also offers strategies and tools students can use. One phrase stuck with me… that teachers need to have laser-like focus: one on child and issue at a time. I found this statement freeing, as we educatos want to help everyone, all at once. Not only does this book speak to students with trauma, but it offers tools and information helpful to all in the classroom. I highly recommend this book for anyone who works in a school setting.
Ouzola Customer (verified owner) –
This book contains a lot of great easy-to-implement strategies to help students and teachers deal with trauma-related behavioral issues. Right off the bat, this book provides the reader with worksheets and thought-provoking activities to help assess the problems they are having with students in the classroom.This book touches on a lot of topics which are of interest to me on a personal level, including the links between stress, high cortisol, and physical changes in the amygdala, neuroplasticity, mindfulness, and strengths-based learning approaches. As a parent, and a foster parent in-training, I can see myself using some of these strategies in my every day life, as well.Especially with everything that is going on in our world with the stress from COVID, drug abuse, poverty, racial discord, and gun violence in our schools and communities, it is more important than ever that teachers have an easy-to-use guide to help them help their students. This book will be a very valuable resource to many teachers.
Joseph P. Price (verified owner) –
As a superintendent and life-long educator, Building a Trauma-Informed Compassionate Classroom is perhaps the most valuable book I have read in a long time. There are a lot of books that delve into the subject of trauma and its impact on child development but very few take it to a level such as this. It provides a solid foundation of understanding and more importantly, it gives educators a plethora of tools that can be utilized immediately. At its core, Building a Trauma-Informed Compassionate Classroom provides insightful guidance on how to cultivate meaningful relationships based on trust, guided reflection, and best practices. The brilliance in Dr. Bashant’s book lies in its ability to resonate with the readers and to empower them with time-tested and research-based practices that are proven to be highly effective. Every teacher should have this valuable asset in their teaching toolbox.
bellasmom (verified owner) –
The narrative is insightful and easy to understand. It is a very practical approach to setting up a classroom that is well equipped to respond to negative or disruptive behavior from students who have undergone trauma at some point in their lives. In a very practical manner, the narrative details how an educator can become a part of the solution rather than exacerbating the problem. The real-life examples include common situations in the classroom and strategies for how a teacher can respond to these situations both in the moment and long-term. The examples provide empathy and an understanding of the psychological and physiological contributions to the disruptive behavior. The worksheets included are effective tools for understanding students, documenting behaviors, and planning and enacting resolutions. This book teaches the teacher to build a positive classroom community as a pathway to teaching positive new behaviors that lead to enhanced student learning.
Neil Matthews (verified owner) –
I was fortunate enough to read Dr. Bashant’s book and found it extremely helpful even though I do not work in the education field. What I enjoyed the most about the book was it forced me to become more self aware of my own emotions and how they are perceived by others. Chapter 5, “Connection is the cement that builds sturdy walls” and chapter 9, “Activities that pave the road to success” were my two favorite chapters. Looking inward at things that I have the ability to change I found empowering. The worksheets in the book allowed me to write out my thoughts and to see them on paper which allowed me to process my thoughts in a way I haven’t done in years. Thank you
Dr. Antonio Abitabile (verified owner) –
I have had the privilege of working with Jenn for the past 10 years in various roles throughout my career and have always been impressed with her professionalism and compassion towards educators. This book will serve as a great resource for anyone who is beginning the process of providing training to staff on how trauma affects the brain and cognition. I provides relevant and authentic resources that educators can put to use in their schools immediately. I highly recommend it to anyone who is curious and looking to create some type of trauma informed initiative in their schools.
Joelle Monaco (verified owner) –
This book provides theory and practicality! One of my favorite features of this book is that it includes worksheets that support the material with exact how-to’s.
After reading this book, I feel like I have to tools and resources to be empathic and supportive of youth and their support circle in a meaningful way.
It connects individuals’ experiences and supports them while building awareness, hope, compassion, and kindness.
You could easily use this book as a group learning tool or enhance your knowledge and skills over the weekend. If you work with young individuals in any way, I highly recommend adding this book to your bookshelf!
Richard Maxstadt (verified owner) –
As an elementary school teacher and parent, I found this book to be incredibly well researched, informative and practical. As all educators embark on this unprecedented year of teaching, we are seeing even more children with issues related to trauma. This book, Building a Trauma-Informed, Compassionate Classroom has transformed my teaching, my classroom, and how I best help these children. The worksheet templates are so practical and easy to use. This incredible book is definitely a teacher’s must-have resource. Parents and care-givers who have children experiencing trauma would also find this book VERY helpful!
A. Quinn (verified owner) –
“Bravo to Jen Bashant for this essential guidebook for teachers of students struggling with anxiety, depression and trauma. The exercises and downloadable worksheets, provide teachers resources to incorporate into their daily routines and help for students who don’t fit in the traditional curriculum “box”. Most importantly, it provides hope to children to realize that there is nothing wrong with them, and supportive tools for teachers, a winning combo!”
Jennifer A. (verified owner) –
Dr. Bashant has presented workshops to our faculty that are well received. The strategies she provides are easy to implement and will benefit children and staff. This book should be a resource shared for best practices to support all children.
Kristen (verified owner) –
This book should be in every teacher/educators hands! The information available for use in the classroom is invaluable! However, coming from the perspective of a mother with a child who struggles in a “discipline” style classroom with only extrinsic rewards, the information and supports in this book could be life changing for these children. It is an ongoing battle to help educators break away from the traditional ways in their classrooms and start to implement the practices in this book. It is so user friendly and the changes that will be created will be monumental!
Katie Rickert (verified owner) –
As an elementary teacher, I have not only read the book Building a Trauma-Informed Compassionate Classroom by Dr. Jennifer Bashant, but I have also had the privilege to work closely along side of her and some of my students over the years. We used many of the charts, checklists, home/school tools with my students and their families. This book and many of the strategies play a key role in the success of my classroom. As a teacher you always want the best for your students and want everyone to feel successful. With so many students feeling anxiety and emotional stress within their daily lives this helps teachers to build the strong connection with their students so they can learn. You won’t be disappointed in this book. Give it a read!
Tammy J. Sutherland (verified owner) –
As a district superintendent leading during the time of a pandemic, I recognize there has never been a more significant need to support the mental health of all members of our school community. Dr. Bashant’s book is a great collection of resources that can be implemented by teachers as they work with their students. All of her work has a strong emphasis on research based strategies that are balanced with real world applications. I strongly recommend this book for teachers, counselors, educational leaders, parents or anyone interested in better understanding why students may struggle and how to help them be successful.
Erin DuBois (verified owner) –
Every educator knows the value of developing supportive relationships with students so they feel safe enough to develop and grow as learners. Dr. Bashant helps the reader explore ways to create a classroom environment in which students develop meaningful connections. She helps educators recognize the various stressors that students experience and further understand how students develop healthy coping strategies versus maladaptive behaviors. Her book provides insightful information paired with suggested activities and approaches that can immediately be put into action. This book will be another tool in your “toolkit!”
Rebecca McGrouty (verified owner) –
This book is a must-read for all educators! Dr. Bashant ensures that the reader understands the science behind trauma and the effects that it has on the students we see each day. The worksheets are tools that veteran and novice teachers, alike, can immediately implement in their classrooms. The resources would be incredibly helpful to any MTSS/BST team in identifying student’s triggers and helping them to make a plan for success.
MG (verified owner) –
Dr. Bashant’s book not only provided the strategies and tools to communicate with students who have struggled with trauma in their pasts, but it really helps to understand why the students struggle and how to break through the challenges that educators may face in their classroom. The activities to break through behaviors using compassion, empathy and effective listening are easy to follow and can make a tremendous difference not only in the classroom but at home for parents as well. All parents and educators should have a copy of this book.
james butterworth (verified owner) –
This book is fresh, wise, helpful and very much needed at this time. The book is quick and easy to read by busy educators and it has everything that teachers struggling with challenging students would want to consider. Current research is cited throughout and the author translates this into practical advice in an engaging way. The teacher and student worksheets are a tremendous resource in themselves. If I was a school principal, I would get this book for all my teachers and discuss it together. Struggling students, classrooms and entire schools will benefit if the author’s lessons are taken to heart and her recommendations followed.
Sharon Domine (verified owner) –
I highly recommend Dr. Bashant’s book as the content goes beyond a trauma focus and is applicable to all classrooms. The author has presented practical knowledge, tools, strategies, and resources that can be incorporated easily in the classroom.
Sarah E. (verified owner) –
As a middle school teacher I found this book useful because it can be used immediately to see a positive effect. In particular, I found the information on flight, flight, or freeze helpful. I have been struggling this year connecting with students who exhibit these responses to stress. The book gave me a name for their responses to stress and an immediate response that I can use to help build relationships with the students. Before this book, I was unaware of the strategies. As Dr. Bashannt points out, teachers are not trained in this area of mental health and trauma. The book gave a concise and measurable way to help students. I highly recommend this book to teachers as a way to connect with students who are struggling and are difficult to reach!
Jan J Zadoorian (verified owner) –
Jennifer Bashant’s book provides a comprehensive approach to create compassionate classrooms and a trauma-informed approach to schools. She captures the essence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), neuroplasticity of the brain and the profound impact that educators can make as change agents in the lives of students. The book offers practical activities for teachers, students and administrators to guide self-reflection and action plans. It provides a “we” approach and mentality inclusive of students, teachers, parents and administration to create understanding of ACES and awareness of best practices to develop authentic connections to our most hard to reach students. As an educational administrator for 20 years, I see many practical applications to utilize the book for professional development of educators, self-reflection of both students and staff and a resource to create a trauma-informed school.
Allison J. Minnick (verified owner) –
As a parent of a teen with ADHD, I’m always looking for productive way to deal with his inability to cope in some situations. This book not only gave me a better understanding of my child, but gave ACTIONABLE and simple tools that we could use at home and in school. I highly recommend it to parents as well as educators!
Marcus Higgs (verified owner) –
Although this was a quick read, it was packed with relevant information that action can be taken on immediately.
It’s worth noting while this book speaks of traumatized children such as sexual abuse and physical violence and such, trauma is experienced by every person. Trauma is unprocessed stress.
If you come from an affluent background, I would recommend the book “the Price of Privilege’ by Madeline Levine. There you will find ideas of dealing with trauma for a different class setting, yet the concepts are still the same as expressed in Jennifer Bashant’s book.
This is a must read book for all educators.
NikkiPogorzelski (verified owner) –
Well written with good ideas for trauma based students
Christine (verified owner) –
Finally a trauma book that isn’t only focused on theory and data. As teachers we know we have kiddos with trauma, this book gives you strategies and ideas to use with your whole class to support everyone.