Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education

1. Trauma-informed education must be equity-centered and universal

Equity-centered trauma-informed education is more than adding together existing trauma-informed education and equity initiatives. Instead, equity-centered trauma-informed education is an integrated and holistic approach.

Holistic approach. Trauma-informed practices in education must be implemented universally, not just for identified "trauma kids." This universal approach recognizes that trauma impacts everyone in the school community and that equity issues are inextricably linked to trauma. An equity-centered trauma-informed approach focuses on:

• Creating safe, affirming environments for all students
• Addressing systemic causes of trauma, not just individual experiences
• Recognizing how inequity and oppression cause and exacerbate trauma
• Implementing practices that benefit all students, not just those identified as "at-risk"

Principles of equity-centered trauma-informed education:

• Antiracist and anti-oppression
• Asset-based, not deficit-focused
• Systems-oriented
• Human-centered
• Universal and proactive
• Social justice focused

2. Schools can cause trauma, not just respond to it

Schools cause trauma and harm. Teachers and administrators, as individuals, can perpetrate this harm, such as making derogatory remarks about children's racial identity or family. School systems, such as rules, policies, and procedures, can cause trauma and harm, for example, harsh discipline policies that refer children to the criminal justice system for behavior in school.

Sources of school-based trauma. Schools are not neutral environments and can actively cause or worsen trauma through various practices and policies. Common sources of school-based trauma include:

• Bullying and harassment, especially targeting marginalized students
• Presence of police and zero-tolerance discipline policies
• Curriculum violence through insensitive or biased teaching of difficult histories
• Microaggressions from staff and peers
• Inequitable access to resources and opportunities

Impact on students. School-based trauma can have profound effects on students' well-being, academic performance, and future outcomes. It's crucial for educators to recognize how school environments may be traumatizing and take active steps to create safer, more equitable spaces for all students.

3. Move from reactive to proactive approaches in addressing trauma

Trauma-informed practices are universal and benefit everyone. A proactive, universal approach not only helps individual students impacted by trauma but also creates a more equitable and trauma-informed environment for everyone in the school community.

Universal implementation. Rather than waiting for crises or identifying specific "trauma-affected" students, schools should proactively implement trauma-informed practices for all. This approach recognizes that trauma impacts the entire school community and that all students can benefit from supportive practices.

Four proactive priorities:

1. Predictability: Create consistent routines and expectations
2. Flexibility: Allow for individual needs and circumstances
3. Empowerment: Foster student agency and voice
4. Connection: Build strong relationships throughout the school community

By focusing on these priorities, schools can create environments that support all students' well-being and learning, regardless of their individual trauma histories.

4. Cultivate unconditional positive regard for all students

The message of unconditional positive regard is, "I care about you. You have value. You don't have to do anything to prove it to me, and nothing's going to change my mind."

Building trusting relationships. Unconditional positive regard is a foundational approach for creating trauma-informed, equitable classrooms. It involves:

• Accepting students for who they are, not what they do
• Communicating care and value consistently, even during challenging moments
• Avoiding conditional acceptance based on behavior or achievement

Shifting from savior mentality. Teachers must be cautious of adopting a "savior" mindset, which can reinforce deficit views of students and their communities. Instead, focus on:

• Recognizing students' inherent strengths and capacities
• Collaborating with students and families as partners
• Understanding systemic factors that impact students' lives, rather than blaming individuals

By cultivating unconditional positive regard, educators create safe spaces for students to learn, grow, and heal from trauma.

5. Create a culture of care for both students and teachers

Teacher wellness is an equity issue. Teacher burnout lowers student motivation and worsens student stress. When teachers feel unsupported by school leadership or work in poor conditions, they leave their schools or even the teaching profession, and this teacher turnover lowers student achievement.

Supporting teacher well-being. To create truly trauma-informed schools, leaders must prioritize the well-being of staff alongside students. This includes:

• Providing opportunities for reflection and processing of secondary trauma
• Implementing reflective supervision practices
• Creating sustainable working conditions that allow for self-care

Beyond "cutesy wellness." Meaningful support for teachers goes beyond surface-level interventions. Focus on providing:

• Time: Restructure schedules to allow for planning and reflection
• Money: Advocate for fair compensation and benefits
• Support: Offer coaching and mentorship opportunities
• Autonomy: Trust teachers' professional judgment

By creating a culture of care for all members of the school community, trauma-informed practices become sustainable and deeply integrated into the school environment.

6. Implement critical pedagogy to empower students and heal trauma

Critical pedagogy is trauma-informed and equity-centered by nature because of this focus on justice and students' development of consciousness and agency.

Transformative teaching. Critical pedagogy approaches education as a tool for liberation and justice. Key elements include:

• Fostering critical consciousness about systems of power and oppression
• Centering students' experiences and cultural strengths
• Engaging in authentic inquiry about real-world issues

Disrupting harmful narratives. Teachers must be aware of how curriculum and instruction can perpetuate trauma and inequity. Strategies for disruption include:

• Examining whose perspectives are centered in curriculum materials
• Teaching students to question dominant narratives
• Incorporating diverse voices and histories into all subject areas

By implementing critical pedagogy, educators can create healing classroom environments that empower students to understand and transform their world.

7. Take action alongside students to create a more just world

We can partner with our students as change makers for a more just society.

Activism as healing. Engaging students in social justice work can be a powerful form of healing from trauma. This involves:

• Supporting student-led initiatives for school and community change
• Incorporating real-world problem-solving into academic content
• Teaching skills for civic engagement and advocacy

Teacher advocacy. Educators must also be willing to take risks and advocate for justice alongside their students. This may include:

• Speaking out against harmful policies or practices
• Collaborating with community organizations for change
• Modeling engaged citizenship and critical thinking

By taking action for justice, both teachers and students can move from feeling powerless in the face of trauma to becoming agents of positive change in their schools and communities.

Last updated: March 11, 2025