Trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a student’s ability to learn, regulate emotions and form relationships in the classroom. These experiences, which can include abuse, neglect, violence, loss or community instability, can significantly disrupt a student’s cognitive and emotional development.
Educators play a crucial role in recognizing these impacts and supporting students through intentional, compassionate practices. Trauma-informed teaching offers a pathway for educators to respond to student needs with empathy and understanding.
Rather than asking “What’s wrong with you?” this approach encourages teachers to ask, “What happened to you?” By shifting the lens from punishment to support, educators build stronger relationships, reduce classroom disruptions and promote mental well-being.
Understanding the Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Teaching
At the heart of trauma-informed teaching are several key principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment. These principles guide educators in developing classroom practices that acknowledge trauma’s effects and minimize the risk of re-traumatization.
Doing so requires designing routines that offer consistency. The practices also provide positive behavior interventions and make space for students to express needs and feelings without fear of judgment or punishment, according to the National Education Association.
Trauma-informed classrooms also prioritize social-emotional learning, recognizing that emotional intelligence is critical to academic success. When students feel emotionally safe and supported, they are more likely to engage and succeed. Educators using trauma-informed strategies often integrate restorative practices and cooperative learning activities to foster resilience and strengthen classroom relationships.
The Link Between Trauma and Mental Health in Schools
The impact of trauma on mental health is well-documented. Students affected by trauma are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, substance use and behavioral challenges. These issues can lead to chronic absenteeism, lower academic performance and difficulty connecting with peers. However, school environments that adopt trauma-informed teaching strategies are uniquely positioned to serve as protective factors in students’ lives.
Creating safe, predictable environments can significantly reduce stress and improve students’ emotional regulation. Trauma-informed practices help shift school culture toward greater empathy, providing an environment that supports student mental wellness. With training and support, educators can learn to recognize the signs of trauma and avoid unintentionally triggering or escalating distress.
When implemented effectively, trauma-informed teaching strategies help create a school climate that is not only safer but also more equitable and inclusive for all learners.
Practical Ways Educators Can Apply Trauma-Informed Strategies
Trauma-informed teaching does not require a complete curriculum overhaul. Instead, it calls for thoughtful adjustments in classroom structure.
For example, teachers might greet students individually at the door to build connections. They may also offer calm-down spaces for emotional regulation or use nonverbal cues to help redirect behavior without public shaming.
Other trauma-informed teaching strategies include:
- Providing choices to empower students.
- Using language that affirms student effort rather than labeling behavior.
- Embedding opportunities for reflection and self-awareness into daily routines.
- Flexibility with deadlines.
- For younger students, offering clear safety expectations using highly specific language that stresses what they should do rather than what they shouldn’t do.
Educators should also remember that trauma-informed teaching benefits all students, not just those with known trauma histories. These strategies support a more inclusive, compassionate learning environment where every student has the opportunity to feel seen, heard and valued.
How FPU Supports Teachers With Trauma-Informed Training
For educators seeking to deepen their understanding of trauma-informed practices, Fresno Pacific University offers the online professional development course Trauma-Informed Teaching. The course provides educators with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools needed to create safe, healing-centered classroom environments.
Participants learn to recognize the signs of trauma, apply appropriate interventions, and develop practical strategies to foster emotional safety and academic resilience.
Through flexible, self-paced instruction, educators explore real-world scenarios and evidence-based research, gaining insight into the neurological and emotional impacts of trauma on student behavior and learning. By the end of the course, participants are equipped to integrate trauma-informed teaching strategies into their classrooms, promoting better mental health outcomes and stronger student-teacher relationships.
The course is ideal for K–14 educators who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of their students through compassionate, informed practice.