New online continuing education courses from UNCG’s NCA-STAR fill a critical need to address the mental health needs of school communities
In spring 2024, UNC Greensboro’s North Carolina Academy for Stress, Trauma and Resilience (NCA-STAR) launched the Trauma-Informed Professional Practice K-12 Educator (TIPP K-12 Educator) Certificate Program. Based on her TIPP certification training program, originally designed for mental health professionals, counselors, school counselors, and psychologists, this virtual program helps educators recognize the signs of trauma in the classroom and among their colleagues. Specially tailored. TIPP K-12 Educator is an interactive 16-module online training program that helps educators understand the impact of trauma on the lives of students, teachers, staff, and families.
The need for trauma training in schools
In North Carolina, the statistics regarding children’s mental health are alarming. The NC Child Health 2023 Report Card found that suicide was the leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14 in 2019. In 2020, an unprecedented 67 children ages 0-18 died by suicide in North Carolina, and in 2021, one in 10 children died by suicide. A high school student reported that he had attempted suicide. In 2020, more than 1 in 10 children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with depression or anxiety, a 49% increase from 2016.
Specific and timely, TIPP K-12 Educator recognizes what trauma looks like in the classroom and applies trauma-informed principles to school safety, classroom strategies, resiliency, educator health, and more. to train participants to apply it to problems. The impetus for this program was community-driven and needs-based.
“School districts continually ask us for in-person trauma and mental health training for their students,” said NCA-STAR Director Anita Faulkner. “There is such a need, especially in rural schools where mental health professionals are not always accessible. This program will assist educators and school systems by providing some understanding of trauma. We are training students to be aware of what is happening in the classroom and implementing tools to effectively communicate with students and parents.”
Through TIPP K-12 Educator, participants will gain tools and strategies to address trauma among students in educational settings and effectively create a trauma-informed approach to classrooms and interactions with students and families. Masu.
“This program includes eight new modules aimed specifically at educators,” Faulkner said. “We built this program based on research and conversations with K-12 educators across the country who shared samples of the situations they encounter in their schools. It’s based on the situation.”
The goal is a community of trauma-informed educators who help students understand their behavior, de-escalate incidents, and get them the services they need to address mental health issues.
The support teachers need to build a safe school culture
“We created this because of how much we value the role of educators and want to support them,” said Rebecca, clinical assistant professor in UNCG’s Counseling and Educational Development (CED) program. Dr. Matthews says.
One of the training modules is designed to help educators recognize when they or a colleague is experiencing a trauma response.
“Professionals who recognize when they are activated in a trauma response, or when a colleague is activated, and know how to regulate themselves and regain their emotional foundation can be extremely helpful.” says Matthews. “This training focuses on what trauma looks like in relationships with students, colleagues, and administrators. We encourage educators to think about resilience strategies they can utilize themselves. Masu.”
These strategies include being mindful of basic human needs around hunger and rest, building routines for checking in with students upon arrival at school, and building a foundation of trust and connection.
“Trauma-informed teachers and administrators help the overall culture of the school,” Matthews said. “This reduces the emotional intensity that students may experience when entering school. We encourage teachers and staff to be curious, calm and kind, rather than reacting or getting angry. It is important to be able to respond in a positive manner.”
Designed with educators’ schedules in mind, TIPP K-12 Educator is online, asynchronous, and available to participants for one year. Educators can create programs that fit their schedules and progress at their own pace. They earn 14 hours of professional development that they can utilize to meet some of their state licensure requirements.
“This is a time when many educators are feeling isolated and truly alone. We want to provide and be a part of a community that surrounds and supports them during this difficult time. ” Matthews said.
The story of Alice Manning Tuett
Photo by Sean Norona, University Press
Click here to learn more about NCA-STAR training.