Trauma and Resilience
Teaching is a challenging proposition, no matter the circumstances; however, with the onset of COVID, teachers, students, administrators, and parents are being faced with hurdles never before encountered.
Rather than experiencing an isolated, traumatic one-time incident, the population of the entire country has been through dramatic stressors lasting over an extended period of time. Loss of employment, financial hardship, food insecurity, death of loved ones, and dramatic changes to schooling have meant perspectives about trauma, PTSD, and moral injury need to be re-examined. At the same time, the United States has experienced increased race-based violence, political insecurity, numerous school shootings, and a significant number of other repetitive moral, social, and physical threats.
Educators who work with diverse student populations and who care deeply about their students’ well-being have experienced complex ongoing traumatic stressors that need to be addressed.
“…Perspectives about trauma, PTSD, and moral injury need to be re-examined.”
In my own experience with multiple traumas, including long-distance care-giving for my immediate family as they each went through cancer and death, while continuing my university responsibilities, and also trying to adapt my hands-on instruction to online during covid, I conducted considerable research on trauma, PTSD, and moral injury.
The result was a chapter in a book on trauma in music teaching and learning.
In talking with my current clients who are all educators, it has been interesting to compare my stories and experiences with theirs, finding multiple similarities. I have discovered that my own research and experiences have been extremely helpful in interactions with educators who are struggling in profound and novel ways.
We all experience trauma and hardships in some way, but that doesn’t mean you have to work through them alone.
It is my aim to empower you, the front-line educator, by providing you the healing and support you deserve.