Innovation Incubators for School Change: A Case Study of Two Elementary Schools Creating Trauma-Informed Learning Environments

• In Event: 18.010 - Cross-Cutting Session 2. Trauma and Violence in Students' Lives: The Role of Education in Healing and Hurting

Abstract

This paper explores a Trauma Informed Partnership (TIP) that was originally created to address the school to prison pipeline. TIP brought together regional administrators, district administrators, the education association, a community foundation, and a school of medicine. Focusing on a supportive school change process, TIP selected five pilot schools to be creative incubators for building trauma informed learning environments. Through varied professional development including all positions within school, the pilot schools adopted strategies that fit their school, context, and the families they serve. This case study explores two of the elementary schools within TIP. The paper documents nature of the change process and important findings in relation to the larger community needs around toxic stress and trauma.

Authors

• Jeanne Koehler, State Farm Insurance and Financial Services

• Anne Kathrin Scheer, Southern Illinois University

• Emilie Lohman-Irwin, Southern Illinois University

• Jill Reedy, State of Illinois