Substitute Teaching Tip: What is trauma informed care in schools?

The unfortunate truth is that many school-age students have experienced some form of trauma in their lifetime and it’s not often apparent on the surface. That’s why it’s important for teachers and substitute teachers to know what is trauma informed care (TIC) in schools, so they have the strategies to help students who may be struggling.

Tips for practicing trauma-informed care in schools:

• Be patient and compassionate
• Maintain consistency and predictability
• Use positive reinforcement

Trauma is defined as distressing or overwhelming events that affect a child’s psychological, emotional, and/or physical well-being.

As a substitute teacher, you might meet hundreds of students in a single week. That makes it difficult to get to know individual students and their histories.  This article will help you to deliver instruction in a way that takes trauma into consideration.

5 principles of trauma-informed care.

While most students are able to adapt to change, feeling comfortable with a new teacher in the classroom can be more difficult for students who have experienced trauma. Understanding the five principles of trauma-informed care can help you provide compassionate support.

Safety.

As a teacher, it is your job to ensure that each student is physically, psychologically, and emotionally safe in your classroom. Some components of creating a safe environment are obvious. For example, making sure students are properly dressed for recess, following school procedures regarding dismissal, etc.

Other components of safety are more nuanced. For example, making sure bullying is addressed. It ensures that students are respected during class discussions.

Trustworthiness and transparency.

Routines matter to students, especially those who have experienced trauma. Maintaining the classroom teacher’s routine can be tough on your first day in a new classroom. Do your very best to follow any notes or lesson plans left for you.

You may also find that it is helpful to talk with other teachers in the building about daily school routines. They may point you to reliable students who can help you stick to the typical classroom schedule.

Peer support and empowerment.

No matter how well you stick to the standard classroom routine, your students are still experiencing a day that’s different from the norm. Encouraging students to support one another can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, especially to students who take time to trust new adults. Focusing on a student’s strengths will empower them to build on their strengths. This will help them to develop stronger coping skills using the tools they have.

Collaboration.

While it is important to maintain your authority in the classroom, it is also vital to create a sense of collaboration and community between yourself and your students. Listening intently to student opinions, asking students for feedback, and working together to master concepts can help students feel comfortable as you work toward a common goal.

Choice.

Students affected by trauma may benefit from making decisions rather than having each aspect of their day chosen for them. Offering students choices (in which you’d be happy with either choice), listening closely to their opinions, and encouraging them to exercise autonomy when appropriate can help them gain confidence.

Practical tips for practicing trauma informed care in your classroom.

Since you don’t know the background of each student in your classroom, practice trauma-informed care because it’s necessary for some students and can help create a positive, supportive environment for all. Try these tips to practice trauma-informed care when you’re substitute teaching.

Be patient and compassionate.

Remember, you don’t know what the students in your classroom have been through. Patience and compassion can go a long way in helping you develop a positive rapport with your students. When a student is struggling behaviorally or academically, warmly asking, “What’s going on?” with a smile can help students feel more comfortable coming to you for help.

Maintain consistency and predictability.

When practicing TIC, it is vital to provide students with consistency and predictability. This is especially important for classroom management. Students should know that the same behavior receives the same reward or consequence every time, regardless of the student exhibiting the behavior or your mood. When students know what to expect, they can relax and focus on the tasks at hand.

Use positive reinforcement.

Celebrating student successes is a powerful classroom management tool. Many teachers struggle to focus on what is going right in the classroom — primarily when tough behaviors are occurring. Narrating the positive and celebrating student successes can help you and your students enjoy a safe, productive day in the classroom.

Positive reinforcement can sound like:

• “Otto, I love how you chose to read silently after you finished your worksheet! You’re setting a great example for what to do when your work is complete.”

• “I’m amazed at your focus as a class right now. I’m going to write (name of classroom teacher) a note to let them know that third period did an amazing job staying on task.”
• “Right now, I see three people placing their homework on their desks. Now, I see six people placing their homework on their desks. Now, I see seven people placing their homework on their desks.”

Pro tip: If you can’t spot a single student in your classroom doing the right thing, this positive narration can work like magic! Simply say you see two to three students doing the right thing (even though you do not) and watch as other kids try to catch your attention by doing the right thing.

• “Monica, you held your ground during that debate, even when things started to get a little heated. Great job staying strong.”

• “Marie, this book is tough, and you’re taking your time to make sure you’re understanding what you’re reading. I’m so proud of you!”

• “This morning, it took us three minutes to get our coats put away and get back to our seats after recess. This afternoon, it only took two minutes. Great job, everyone!”

Grow your substitute teacher skills with Kelly Education.

At Kelly Education, we’re excited about helping you to make a difference in schools as a substitute teacher. Not only do we provide training, but we also have a library of articles like this one. For more help with classroom management and student engagement, check out the following:

• Following classroom procedures and routines as a substitute teacher
• How to set expectations for student behavior when substitute teaching
• Substitute teacher tips: 3 steps to improve student engagement during a lesson

If you are interested in substitute teaching, fill out our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will contact you to answer your questions. We’ll also share more about opportunities to become a substitute teacher or support staff with one of our school district partners.

I’m interested