Date Approved
8-29-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Education-Instruction and Curriculum: Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
College of Education
First Advisor
Sherie Klee
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
Many students in the K–12 education system have experienced trauma, yet schools often lack the tools and structures to adequately support them. This project addresses that gap by creating a trauma-informed teaching guidebook for educators. Grounded in current research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma’s effects on child development, the guidebook provides practical, easy-to-implement strategies. It focuses on building supportive relationships, creating safe and predictable environments, managing behavior with empathy, and designing classrooms that foster emotional regulation and connection. The goal is to support both student well-being and teacher effectiveness. The guidebook is intended to be shared with educators as a starting point on their trauma-informed teaching journey. By promoting trauma-informed approaches, this project aims to improve educational outcomes for all students, especially those who have experienced adversity. When teachers are empowered with knowledge and tools, classrooms become places of growth, and academic success.
ScholarWorks Citation
Shipley-Mellon, Autumn, "Trauma-Informed Teaching Guidebook A Resource for Supporting Students" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 600.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/600
