Developing Better Approaches to Disengagement of Students in School

• In Event: 45.093 - MTCC Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: 45.093-4 - Undoing Deficit Discourses in Teacher Education: Troubling Notions of Student Engagement and Success

Abstract

Poor teacher-student relationships are often at the crux of young people disengaging from school with teacher-student relationships consistently reported as one of the most important factors. These relationships are particularly problematic for marginalised learners, who due to the impacts of trauma or mental health concerns, may struggle to develop the trusting, safe relationships needed for them to succeed in school. New teachers in Australia report feeling under-prepared to respond effectively to disengaged or trauma-affected students. Thus, it is timely, important and pertinent to address this issue now. This paper discusses results from the first workshop phase of a new project designed to improve pre-service teachers’ capacity to build positive relationships with all students through a trauma-informed lens.

Authors

• Carmel Hobbs, La Trobe University

• Dane Poulsen, Save The Children Australia

• Jeffrey Thomas, University of Tasmania

• Jo Lampert, La Trobe University