Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1156982
open up to anyone. They might exhibit violence like throwing objects or flipping desks. ey might threaten anyone who they see could hurt them. ey might run away without informing an adult. ey might need extra attention at all times," says Parameswaran, a member of United Educators of San Francisco (UESF). She and other El Dorado and Webster educators received training in trauma-informed practices from UC San Francisco's Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS) program, which has had a big impact, according to Parameswaran. "In order to handle these behaviors, it is important to teach through a trauma lens," Parameswaran says. "is means understanding what the student has experi- enced, building a relationship with that student, creating predictability every day, reading body language, giving time and space to self-regulate, incorporating social- emotional learning to develop empathy, and giving positive recognition and reinforcement." e HEARTS program, in fact, is guided by these core principles, which promote both school and community success (see diagram at right). Susan Kitchell, a school nurse with San Francisco Unified School District, has also received training from the HEARTS program, and has read "voraciously " on trauma-informed practices. She sees the impact of the practices at work. "Unfortunately, too many of the young people I have been privileged to serve have had experiences that no one should undergo," says Kitchell, a UESF member. "I "One student at a time, we can create an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance, thereby increasing attendance and participation." —Susan Kitchell, United Educators of San Francisco Scott Buschman Trauma-Informed Principles for Promoting School and Community Success Understanding Trauma & Stress Staff & Caregivers System & Leadership Students Resilience & Social Emotional Learning Empowerment & Collaboration Compassion & Dependability Safety & Predictability Cultural Humility & Responsiveness Modified from SFDPH Trauma Informed Systems Initiative, 2015. J.Dorado (2015), UCSF HEARTS, UCSF-ZSFG Susan Kitchell is a nurse with San Francisco Unified School District. 44 cta.org feature