I teach a truly diverse group of students from Hartford, Connecticut. They come from all over the world and bring something unique to my room. However, the vast majority are low-income children of color, living in one of the most dangerous cities in the world. They often face stressors that would cripple many adults. There has been an increasing amount of research on the effects of poverty and violence on students' brains, and none of it is good. We know that such vulnerable students require specialized instruction. I endeavor to provide this kind of supportive environment in my classroom so that all my children can excel.
My Project
I would love to attend a professional development run by the Attachment & Trauma Network called "Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools." It is designed to give educators who work with some of the nation's most at-risk students the tools we need to effectively teach students who have faced severe life traumas.
My students deserve a teacher who is equipped to respond to the stressors they face in their lives.
Achievement Gap reforms tend to focus on better teaching methods. We also need teachers who have better mental health training. I want this training to help serve all my students more effectively.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Allison and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
