Approved Illinois Administrator Academy #1374

Kristin Souers has dedicated herself to the improvement of people’s lives for over two decades. As a licensed mental health counselor, she has provided counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. This, partnered with her expertise in complex trauma, the impact of violence, crisis management, counseling, and trauma-informed care, has allowed her to partner with professionals around the development of trauma-informed practices in a multitude of settings.
As an independent consultant, adjunct faculty member at the Gonzaga University School of Education in the Counselor Education Department, Kristin now provides critical professional development, consultation, education, and training services to schools, school districts, and organizations throughout the country.  The award winning publication, Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Environment (ASCD, 2016) and many articles published in education journals, her most recent “Responding with Care to Students Facing Trauma.” (December 2017/January 2018) have strengthened Kristin’s impact in education.

Childhood trauma is real, it is prevalent, and it impacts students, their learning, and the adults in their lives quite significantly. In this engaging, relevant, and practical session, learn from childhood trauma expert Kristin Souers about the importance of trauma informed practices in the school setting. Participants will be introduced to and provided with opportunities to explore more in-depth the importance of fostering a culture of safety, predictability, and consistency; what it truly means to work as a team and address our students collectively; discuss a handful of strategies to support the New Three R’s (Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation); and how to sustain a healthy work-life balance.  Attendees will explore their roles as leaders and gain strategies for both student and adult support. Attendees will be given opportunities to collaborate and problem-solve scenarios associated with fostering a trauma sensitive environment.

Outcomes:

• 1. Participants will deepen their understanding as leaders of the value of fostering a safe, predictable, and consistent learning environment
• 2. Participants will explore multiple strategies for education staff and community members to utilize with adults and children with (known and unknown) trauma histories – helping to sustain learning-ready states
• 3. Participants will collaborate to identify ways to support a team approach to addressing students’ needs in a strength based way
• 4. Participants will reflect on the importance of a healthy work-life balance and its value in fostering and sustaining a trauma sensitive environmentRegistration and Continental Breakfast 8:00am-8:30amLunch provided