A Childhood Trauma Case Study Essay

August 17, 2022

Ms. Battle, Principal with Cincinnati Public Schools, and Ms. Savage, a Mental Health Professional from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital begin a conversation today regarding Childhood Trauma and how it affects a child’s education.

Together, they shared that without question, no matter what neighbourhood you teach in, you will work with children who have experienced trauma and who have had high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).

Unfortunately, there was only so much time and this was just the beginning of the conversation. What was the most important thread to take-away from this experience is the awareness you must embrace regarding the power a teacher has to develop a positive relationship with each student you serve.

One that allows you to hold hope and belief in your students, and the willingness you must have to walk through these struggles with them.

In the video (link below), Whole People: Childhood Trauma, Resmaa Menaken shares that we may not have all of the answers, but maybe if we approach children who have experienced trauma, with a calm and settled response to their unsettled and reactive nervous system, we can help them find some calmness so they can recognise their need and ask for help.

In her TED Talk (link below), Dr. Allison Jackson states, “We’re not powerful enough to know who has trauma and who doesn’t, we’re not powerful enough to know who makes it and who doesn’t.

But we are powerful enough to do 2 things: 1-Teach someone else about childhood trauma as a health issue, and 2-Make that risk of connection. So, the next time someone gives you the honour of walking their trauma, their pain story, in front of you, answer that call with connection.”

For this extra credit assignment, please use the listed resources and articles to discuss:

1- What you have learned about Childhood Trauma and the effects of ACE’s

2 – Explore ideas about how you, as a teacher, will support the children in your classroom and school community who may have hidden trauma that is showing as difficult, inappropriate, and/or scary behaviours,

3 – What are things you can do to create a relationship of kindness and trust while supporting the child to get help.

2 typed pages: Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1” margins, double spaced (appx. 600 words), cite and list your references 20 points (see rubric)

Resources:

A Call to Connection: Making Childhood Trauma Personal | Dr. Allison Jackson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HG8H4n2j9I