Trauma-Informed Care

This school year, S.M. Rissler Elementary teachers and staff are participating in trauma-informed training and implementing practices to help meet the needs of students. 

“Trauma is an exceptional experience in which powerful and dangerous events overwhelm a person’s capacity to cope” (Rice & Groves, 2005). 

As professionals and caregivers, it’s our responsibility to provide a safe, predictable setting for children to be, learn, and thrive. A trauma-sensitive environment, also referred to as a positive learning environment, is a classroom, school, nook, or any other teaching location in which each and every student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. 

On January 6th, teachers and staff participated in trauma training with Annette Lantz-Simmons with the Center for Conflict Resolution out of Kansas City. Teachers were introduced to the elements of dignity and violations of dignity, how trauma affects the brain, the window of tolerance and teacher practices to assist students in managing stress and  trauma. As a result of this training, several teachers have implemented some of the following practices

  • Calming corners - a quiet area of the room equipped with soft furnishings and soothing materials to help a student de-escalate when upset

  • Morning meetings - students and teachers gather together in a circle and interact with one another with one or all of the following components: greeting, sharing, group activity, morning message

  • Self-regulation through grounding strategies, brain breaks, breathing exercises and class and individual breaks

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Otto or Mrs. Todd at 660-359-2228.