🎙️ Healing Education Through Trauma: Karen Gross on Mending Education and Supporting Students Post-Pandemic

In this powerful episode of A Trauma Survivor Thriver’s Podcast, host Lorilee Binstock speaks with Karen Gross, a trauma-informed education expert, former college president, and author of Mending Education: Finding Hope, Creativity, and Mental Wellness in Times of Trauma.

Karen shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the education system—and why now is the time to rethink how we support students affected by trauma, anxiety, and mental health challenges. From social-emotional learning (SEL) to creative and connected classrooms, Karen offers real strategies for helping children thrive in a post-trauma world.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn about:

The long-term impact of trauma on student behavior and learning

How to integrate emotional wellness into academic instruction

The concept of breakaway learners and how to reach them

Karen’s global perspective from working in Kenya and the United Kingdom

How creativity, community, and compassion build better schools

Practical tips for educators, parents, and policymakers alike

If you're interested in trauma-informed education, mental health in schools, and building resilient learning environments, this conversation is filled with inspiration and actionable insights.

📘 Learn more about Karen’s work at https://karengrosseducation.com/