Dearest Gentle Teachers,
It has been far too long since I've last written, and I must make a confession. I have not been writing. Not because of scandal nor intrigue. My abscence has been for a far simpler reason: no one assigned it to me.
This Semester
I have been tasked with an inquiry project assignment this semester. One where I have a lot of freedom on choosing a topic that really matters to me. This semester I am going to tackle some research on trauma-informed instruction. This is something that I hold close to my heart. I had a lot of trauma growing up, while I am not going to dive into the trauma, I am going to tell you how my teachers saved my life. But first, What is trauma informed instruction?
From what I know, it is a way of teaching and learning that acknowledges the impact of trauma on students. It is a way for us as teachers to understand their trauma and to support students to the best of our ability. We all know that trauma can impact a student's mental, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Trauma can hinder students' performances, can prevent them from having the necessary materials, and contribute to many other things. You will come across students with trauma anywhere you go. This is why it is important for me to learn more about it.
Elementary & Middle School
My elementary and middle school years weren't the greatest, but my teachers were. I remember all of my teachers names (except for Kindergarten, I was moved from school to school and I can't even remember what elementary schools I attended). My childhood was rough but school was always my outlet. I loved going to school and I loved hanging out with my friends. But the only thing I loved more than that was being able to have one on one conversations with my teachers. I didn't really get the chance to have conversations with adults very often and I loved talking to my teachers because they almost always had something nice to say about me, which was the complete opposite of what I got at home. I was a great kid. I always tried to be honest, I did my schoolwork, I was the kid that teachers trusted to take things to the office for them. So yes, a teachers pet. I know that usually has such a negative connotation to it, but for me, I loved being the teachers pet because I felt needed & wanted. My teachers always saw something in my during those early years and I am forever grateful. They were teachers that I needed.
High School
I had always heard that high school was supposed to be some of the best years of my life. For me, they were some of the hardest. They were the years I had to fight so hard to stay in this world. I am not going to dive into the nitty gritty of everything because I am not here to trauma dump. But I do know that there were teachers in my life during high school that saved me.
One teacher saw potential in my my freshman year when I had him for honors world history. I hate history, but I looked forward to this class. I would constantly pester him to check my grades for me and he would reluctantly do so. In his defense, I had straight A's, but some of those A's weren't as high as I would have liked so I always wanted to check and no matter what, he always let me. Now I'm not saying he saved my life by checking my grades. He went on to be a mentor and someone I call dad. He trusted me to watch his kids while his wife and him did bible study. He helped me pay for things I couldn't afford. He listened to me when I needed someone to listen. Overall, he and his wife became a safe place for me and someone I knew I could always go to.
I also have what I call a high school mom. I didn't meet her until my sopohmore year and when I first met her I didn't really like her. It's funny because my facebook memories pop up about me talking about hating my chemistry teacher because she was so strict and now I share them and tag her and we laugh together about it. I never would have thought she would become the teacher that I always looked forward to seeing. I didn't have a relationship with either of my parents and she knew his. She always joked that she was going to adopt me but either way she tells everyone I'm her daughter. I took honors chemistry my sophomore year and then AP chemistry my Junior year. She recommended that I took AP even after I told her I didn't think I could do it. Unfortunately, I was right. My second semester of my junior year I ended up failing her class. I had missed a lot of school due to depression and breaking my foot and some other things that happened that year. So I fell behind and I failed. I was so disappointed in myself just because I didn't want to disappoint her. I was always a good student, so failing hurt. But she reminded me that my grades do not define me. She helped me wipe away tears and she made sure I held my head high no matter what. It has been been 10ish years since I've known her and she still continues to call me daughter and she reminds me how proud she is of me all of the time.
Okay So What?
I know I have talked about my schooling and upbringing in my previous posts and I hope that you don't feel this has been redundant. I just feel this was important when talking about my topic, trauma informed practice (or instruction). I'm not sure if they ever had any classes or did a ton of research into this but I could imagine that they did. They are the reasons I feel so passionate about teaching and it is why I want to make sure I am informed about the subject of trauma. Just because I may have experienced a ton of it growing up, it doesn't make me an expert. I want to be the expert for my students because it sure felt like I had experts when I was growing up.
And so, dear teachers,
Let it be known that the most effective educators are not merely instructors of curriculum but stewards of care, architects of safe spaces, and champions of every student's potential. A classroom built on understanding is not luxury--it is neccessity. The gossip may tell of high test scores and rigorous lesson plans, but the true mark of a great teacher? The ability to see beyond the syllabus and intot he hearts of your students.
This author, ever-curious and never one to shy away from a deep dive, will be immersing herself into further research on trauma-informed instruction, uncovering the best practices and strategies to truly shape supportive learning environments. And of course, I shall share my findings with you all.
Yours Truly,
Lady Ace
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