Intersection of Race, Trauma and Equity
Contributions to the current issues conversation in the field.
Racism, Equity, and Trauma
The intersection of race, equity, and trauma impacts our ability to create Safe and Supportive Trauma Sensitive Schools (SSTSS) in three interconnected ways,
1. Students experiencing systemic racism and inequities have additional Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) that others do not, raising their risk for ACE-related learning impacts.
2. As educators, our Implicit bias and micro-aggressions can preclude us from creating Safe and supportive trauma-sensitive whole school communities for every child, and
3. Systemic racism and inequities can perpetuate feelings of isolation, less than equal/not good enough, and a lack of belonging in students.
As such, race, equity, and trauma combine to challenge schools to establish a school-wide culture that is safe and supportive/trauma sensitive for all students (whole school-based) and provide students of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds with safe and welcoming school climates and accessible and inclusive school supports (whole child-based).
Learn more about the intersection of Race, Trauma, and Equity by enrolling in the LIfTS course. The content discusses the impacts of systemic racism and, becoming aware of the issues of implicit bias and micro-aggressions on our students, staff, and school culture/climate. This understanding then invites you to take action on both a school, classroom-wide, and personal educator practice basis. Addressing these factors in an open and transparent manner is central to creating SSTSS for all our students.
Relationships, Power, and Voice
Whose voices are most heard in classroom discussions? Whose are missing?
How do power dynamics show up between teachers and students, or between school and families?
In what ways are students invited to co-construct learning, rules, or assessments?
How do we respond when students resist, disengage, or challenge us—what stories do we tell about them?