Reflections From Educational Professionals: How to Create a Supportive K–12 School Environment After a Wildfire

• In Event: Saturday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Leveraging Partnerships to Serve the Whole Child: Supportive and Antiracist Practices (Table 4)

Abstract

As wildfires become a common occurrence for many countries throughout the world, K-12 students are increasingly being impacted by these natural disasters. This study aimed to help educational professionals (i.e., teachers, administrators, district staff) understand how to create a supportive school environment after wildfire. A Community Based Action Research approach was used to build a collaboration between researchers and community members who supported children during California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire. Interviews with six K-12 educational professionals uncovered three important themes, including the importance of 1) creating a trauma-informed environment, 2) building a supportive community, and 3) providing routines, while making adjustments to meet mental health needs. These results can be shared with communities impacted by future wildfires.

Author

• Lindsey Nenadal, California State University - Chico