Just announced another date! Fri, May 10, 2024.
In this day-long workshop, we’ll review some practical ways to integrate cultural competency frameworks into every aspect of our teaching in order to support the belonging of all of our students. We’ll discuss both social and personal safety, and explore tools for supporting the nervous system in individuals and groups. The day will be broken up into 3 sessions:
Session 1: Cultural Competency and the Nervous System (2 hours)
As educators, we know cultural competency is a foundational and on-going practice to foster safe and brave learning communities. In this workshop, we’ll look at the overlap between nervous system functioning and cultural competency, to examine the ways personal and social safety work together in our classrooms. We’ll discuss nervous system functioning, regulation and co-regulation, and consider the wide array of considerations that fall under the umbrella of “cultural competency” in the context of our learning communities. We’ll address trigger points, misunderstandings, clashes of expectations and conflict, and consider how to move through these issues as gateways to learning. When a classroom becomes dysregulated, how might educators respond? Let’s reflect and practice together.
Session 2: Overview of Safety in the Classroom (2 hours)
We will begin by examining the effects of trauma and toxic stressors and how they affect brain functions and learning in the classroom. With an understanding of the science, the participants will have an opportunity to collaborate on developing tools for creating an environment that not only avoids retraumatization and additional stressors through practical strategies integrated in their lesson plans, but also takes a step toward healing by providing a safe space and professional relationship that serves as a protective factor in the learner’s experience. Practical considerations such as environment and the importance of including safety in lesson planning will be addressed.
Session 3: Reflecting on Our Role: Building Safety and De-stressing into the Plan (1 hour)
This last hour will be focused on addressing the questions and concerns participants bring! We will also have the opportunity to reflect upon questions and themes from the first two sessions, including: our own role in creating safety in our learning environments, what we each bring to the table, best practices for co-regulation, and signs of trauma exposure response. Finally, participants will work in small peer groups for an opportunity to share their own classroom materials (lesson plans, activity, strategy) for feedback and brainstorming with the group in terms of how to add a sense of safety and trauma-informed approaches in an effort to reduce stress and enhance student learning outcomes.
Co-Facilitators
Amy Ballard (she/her) is an adult educator and curriculum writer. She holds a Master of Education degree with a focus on TESOL and adult literacy. She has worked in homes, community-based programs, and community colleges teaching GED preparation, English for speakers of other languages, writing composition, college readiness skills, and parenting skills to support child development. Amy currently co-facilitates PHENND’s Trauma-Informed Educator Cohorts for community-based programs and higher education professionals and offers workshops for adult educators through the City of Philadelphia Office of Children and Families. She is a co-author of “Trauma-Informed Principles for Online Teaching and Learning Spaces”.
Laura Neuman (she/they) is a writer and educator with a background in dance and somatics. Laura has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in literature and creative writing at The College of New Jersey since 2016, and previously taught creative writing and composition at Temple University, Community College of Philadelphia, and Highline Community College in Des Moines, Washington. She has published three collections of poetry, and holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing from Bard College and a Masters in English (Creative Writing, Poetry) from Temple University. In 2018, Laura earned a first-year certificate from The Trauma Institute for the year one professional training in Somatic Experiencing, a somatic technique that fosters nervous system regulation.
Workshop Information
- Standard Fee -$285.00
- PDSN member Fee – $250.00
- Includes lunch, parking, workshop materials, certificate of completion
- Date/Time: Fri, May 10, 2024
- Location: TCNJ Ewing Campus
Registration Information
- Online registration on Eventbrite is required – go to: May 10 Registration Trauma Informed Practices
- You do not need a PO# to register
- If paying by purchase order – please select “pay by voucher”
- Please contact us if you need an invoice for a PO to be created.
Payment Information/Timeline:
- PO/Check must be received by May 3, 2024
- Accepted form of payments are
- Purchase Order
- Check/Money Order
- Credit Card(Eventbrite only)
Payable To: The College of New Jersey or TCNJ
Mail to: The College of New Jersey PO Box 7718 Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 Education – Room 108 You may email or fax purchase orders to aspire@tcnj.edu, f. 609.637.5196. For any questions please contact George at aspire@tcnj.edu or 609.771.2540