In this powerful episode of The Special Ed Strategist Podcast, host Wendy Taylor welcomes Rachel Archambault, M.A., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and trauma-informed care advocate. Rachel shares her journey from experiencing trauma firsthand at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to becoming a leading voice in trauma-informed education. Learn how educators can implement practical, mindset-shifting strategies to create safer, more supportive learning environments for all students.

Educators should shift from asking “What’s wrong with this student?” to “What happened to this student?” and adjust their approach to reduce harm, foster safety, and support learning.

Removing violent phrases like “shoot me an email” and choosing more precise, neutral language helps create a safer, less triggering environment for students and staff.

The six pillars of trauma-informed care (Safety, Choice, Collaboration, Trust, Empowerment, and Cultural Sensitivity) guide educators to create spaces where students can shift from survival mode into their “learning brain.”

Website: www.ptsdslp.com

Instagram: @ptsd.slp

Facebook: @ptsd.slp

LinkedIn: Rachel Archambault

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @learningessentials

LinkedIn: Wendy Taylor

Facebook: Learning Essentials

Website: LearningEssentialsEDU.com

Course: Cracking the Code