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Thousands of OK educators learn trauma-focused teaching

Posted at 4:38 PM, Sep 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-11 17:40:03-04

WASHINGTON D.C. — Thousands of Oklahoma educators involved in a statewide movement to help trauma-affected children in the classroom.

State Superintendent, Joy Hofmesiter, spoke in Washington D.C. today, in front of a subcommittee on education and labor.

The focus was on the link between trauma and student performance, and how to help students succeed in school when they are impacted by serious forms of distress, such as: poverty, violence, or divorce.

Hofmeister mentions one strategy that works: teachers building meaningful connections with their students. She says it eases trauma's impact on learning.

“When our kids have that relationship with their teachers, they are going to be able to be more engaged and have that one caring adult -that is paramount for moving beyond trauma to hope and a brighter future.

Over 4,000 teachers across the state are involved in trauma support training.

The state will host the next trauma-focused summit for educators in February.