Writing Assignment #4—Presentation to School Board

(200 points; 21 hours of engagement) Due by 11:59 PM on Monday of Week 8

The purpose of this audio/visual assignment is to synthesize all that you have learned about building a trauma-informed classroom. 

Consider the following situation: A parent advocacy group has recently been attending school board meetings and loudly protesting the high suspension and expulsion data in your district. The school board has directed the school administration to identify possible alternative approaches to suspensions and expulsions. Your principal knows that you embrace trauma-informed teaching practices and arranges for you to prepare a presentation to the school board describing a trauma-informed approach.

Your goal is to provide a substantive and persuasive presentation advocating trauma-informed approaches in the classroom. Your presentation should include:

• 10-15 slides, including a title slide, a conclusion slide, and a references slide.
• Voiceover narration, with presentation not exceeding 10 minutes. Maintain a consistent voice throughout (first or third person).
• A minimum of five scholarly sources to support your arguments.
• Brief background information describing the pervasiveness and impact of childhood trauma.
• Discussion of the role of educator mindset, agency, and self-awareness in supporting children experiencing trauma.
• Analysis of current classroom practices and why they do not align with what we know about children experiencing trauma.
• Description of effective classroom practices in a trauma-informed classroom. Be sure to account for academic, social, and cultural practices.
• Suggestions of concrete steps the board should consider in supporting current and emerging trauma-informed classrooms.

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