Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1175948
H E Y, W H A T ' S U P ? " Barry Roth says, offering a fist bump to a student in one of the halls at Encina Preparatory High School in Sacramento. "Are you doing all right today?" It 's a s c e n e t h a t p l ay s o u t o v e r a n d o v e r throughout the school day as Roth keeps a keen watch for students who might need some extra support. He spots a girl with a dour look on her face sitting outside a classroom, stopping mid- sentence to approach her and determine whether something is amiss. Every adult at Encina High is hyperfocused on supporting their students' men- tal and emotional well-being, so they have the space they need to learn. "ere are so many kids that could go all day without any meaning ful interaction with adults. e whole staff is focused on the kids and helping each other," says Roth, coordinator for community schools at Encina High and member of San Juan Teachers Association (SJTA). "To work here, you have to be willing to love these kids as if they're your own, because that's what they deserve." Encina High is a trauma-informed school, which means that its staff, students and community are focused on recog- nizing and responding to the impacts of traumatic stress on students and staff. Trauma-informed schools show empathy to students, resist punitive responses, and provide support to manage trau- matic stress and build a positive culture. Having embraced the trauma-informed approach for a decade now, Encina High has put a lot of effort into creating a culture of compassion, but it is still a work in progress, Roth says. "Our job as educators is to do everything we can to help our students succeed. It might be a little optimistic to say we are there, which hurts to say. But all of the leaders are on board that this is the right path." According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Net- work (NCTSN), one in four school-age children has been Trauma-sensitive schools focus on student well-being By Julian Peeples Photos by Tony Avelar A Culture of Compassion At Jamestown Elementary, students get a peaceful start with yoga during PE. 20 cta.org Barry Roth feature