This workshop was developed for school staff to increase awareness and understanding of what racism looks like and how it impacts children at school (K-7). The curriculum is a combination of current research and the findings of our own interviews with families across the lower mainland whose children have experienced racism in their classrooms.  Important concepts such as colour blind, micro aggression, white privilege and internalized bias will be explained and discussed in terms of their application to the school systems and relationships at school. Participants will leave feeling more confident in their ability to recognize and respond to both blatant racism and micro-aggression. Participants will also leave with a better understanding of how to become an ally themselves as well as how to teach children to do the same.

Anxiety is the most common mental health concern for children and can leave adults feeling helpless to make things better for a child. This workshop is designed to provide educators with an understanding of what anxiety is all about and how it impacts a child’s overall development and specifically the way they learn.  Strategies to help children successfully manage their big feelings at school are discussed through case studies and practical examples.

New research has demonstrated the impact that trauma and attachment has on behaviour, socialization and learning.

This workshop was designed by a therapist, specializing in early childhood trauma and attachment, and a special education teacher, with expertise in working with the most difficult of school-based behaviours. The combination of these two areas of specialization has led to a dynamic and practical workshop.  Participants will leave with a new understanding, and new vision, for educating their most challenging students.

The workshop will cover the developing brain; how fear changes the way we think; the alarm state and hyper-arousal; the S.E.T. Response for teachers; new interpretations of attachment behaviours; helping students achieve self-regulation; how to build relationships with hurt students; how to set firm limits with true empathy; and becoming the thermostat for your classroom.

New research has demonstrated the impact trauma and attachment has on behaviour, socialization and learning.

This workshop was designed by a therapist, specializing in childhood trauma and attachment, and a special education teacher, with expertise in working with the most difficult of school-based behaviours. The combination of these two areas of specialization has led to a dynamic and practical workshop.

The workshop will cover the developing brain; how fear changes the way we think; the alarm state and hyper-arousal;  new interpretations of difficult behaviours; helping students reach a state of regulation; how to build relationships with hurt students; how to set firm limits with true empathy and a Three Step Response for teachers managing behaviors. Participants will be given a case study format for effective planning to meet the needs of challenging students.

This workshop is a great opportunity to go deeper into the adolescent brain, and is a great follow up to the information presented in ‘Teaching the Hurt Child’. Participants will hear about new insights into the adolescent’s brain development that impact their decision making and learning. We take a look at the three top reasons why school is tough for adolescents with a history of trauma and the resulting asynchronous development that leads to difficult behaviors that educators often encounter. Further exploration of strategies to respond effectively to challenging situations will leave educators feeling motivated to respond differently.

Children who have experienced early trauma and caregiver losses, often encounter difficulties in their school environment. Multiple factors contribute to children feeling emotionally unsafe, and unable to tolerate the feelings of shame, and lack of competence, that they encounter in this setting.

It is important for adoptive parents, and the professionals that support adoptees, to advocate for the unique needs of these children in their learning environments. If a child’s experience is acknowledged, and validated, they are able to trust that adults understand them, and are able to meet their needs – opening up opportunities for learning.

This workshop will assist school professionals to assess whether a child is able to tolerate their learning environment, to identify their experiences, and understand how it relates to their history. School professionals will also explore what adaptations are most useful in creating successful learning environments for adoptees in the classroom.