Trauma Informed Educators Network Podcast

Heather Grow has been in education in some capacity for 15 years. She started subbing in college, became a teaching assistant for a K-2 SED classroom, and then was a 1:1 teaching assistant for a 5th-grade student before her current position as a teacher of physical educator. Grow has been in her current position for eight years and has always strived to bring trauma-sensitive practices to her students. Most recently, she presented at a zone conference for her state physical education professional organization, the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NYS AHPERD), on trauma-sensitive practices in physical education with a co-worker. Their session was so well received that they were invited to present at the state conference in the fall. She also co-leads a professional learning group within her district called "Teaching Through the Lens of Trauma." Within this group, they are doing a book study on "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. They are collaboratively working towards making trauma-sensitive teaching practices a norm within their district, of which she is very proud. She is passionate about trauma and will continue to do this hard work for herself, her kids, and her students.

Dr. Larissa Rector has worked in education for more than 16 years. She has a PhD in Literacy Studies and Research and currently works at Tennessee Tech University, where she teaches graduate-level research courses. She also owns a nonprofit organization called Snug as a Bug Foundation and is a huge advocate for struggling students and helping to mitigate the barriers that often stand in their way.

Julia Chambers integrates all of the skills she acquired over the course of 3 master's degrees in art history, museum studies and public art studies, museum directorships, consulting projects, not-for-profit board leadership, world travel, and being a mother to 3 delightful young men into running Mimbleball -- which turned out to be precisely the skill set needed to help design, manufacture, promote, theoretically analyze, and share the sparks of joy, ice-breaking connection, and essential calming comfort that are manifest in Mimbleballs.

Mathew Portell, Dr. Tyisha Noise, Ingrid Cockhren, Julie Kurtz, and Dr. Julie Nicholson, our author team, experts in psychology, education, leadership/administration, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), have come together to support and strategize mitigating school stress by co-authoring a book for Harvard Education Press, which will be published sometime in 2025. With extensive experience in research and practical application, we offer evidence-based strategies tailored to address the unique challenges educators and students face. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to cultivate supportive learning environments that promote well-being and academic success. Join us on March 27, 2024, from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm to discuss this journey as we share our book and the innovative approaches to reduce stress and enhance the educational experience for all stakeholders.

Katie and Halley, sisters and co-workers, partner with the Neurosequential Network in coordinating the NME Trainer Program and are co-directors of a non-profit organization called Educational Access Group. Halley is a former teacher. Katie hails from the public health sector, and their work supports schools, educators, and youth-serving organizations in sustainably implementing the NME and brain-based approaches across their buildings and systems through the S.I.T.E. Framework. They are passionate about infusing trauma-informed practices into schools, organizations, classrooms, and sport.

Dr. Tyisha J Noise has approximately 24 years supporting, nurturing and creating success with underserved populations from coast to coast in both nonprofit and educational settings. Dr. Noise has served as a special and general education teacher, high school administrator and middle school principal. She has extensive experience building systems to support best practices and has been a passionate coach of teachers and leaders in academic content as well as special education, athletics and leadership.

Her primary research has been focused on how trauma informed schools and leaders can cultivate better and more equitable outcomes for students in underserved communities.

Her passion project is creating faith based content and products to uplift, encourage and inform young children and their families through her company HeavenSent Kids.

Dr. Noise received her doctoral degree in Education Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and currently serves as Coordinator of Equity & Access with the Los Angeles County of Education where she will support Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives on behalf of the counties 80 LEAs and over 300 charter school as we pursue more equitable outcomes for our nearly 2 million students.

Bethany has been an educator for 27 years. She taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades and also served as an academic/instructional coach. Bethany spend 12 years serving as a building administrator-7 years as an assistant principal and 5 years as principal. For the last three years, she has been mentoring program specialist at Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative, where she supports novice teachers across 27 districts. Bethany works with novices in various areas through professional development sessions and coaching cycles. She also supports schools and districts by facilitating learning on relationship-based classroom management, family engagement, and communication, and trauma-informed approaches that support staff, students, and families. Bethany is the handler for an educational assistance dog, and together, they promote working dogs in schools for mental wellness, behavioral, and academic support.

Ginger Healy, MSW, LCSW, is a clinical social worker. She has worked as a child abuse investigator, hospital social worker, social service supervisor at an international adoption agency, and school therapist. She is currently the director of programs for the Attachment & Trauma Network. She co-anchors the podcast "Regulated and Relational" and speaks nationwide on trauma-informed schools, therapeutic parenting, and community engagement. Ginger is the author of Regulation and Co-Regulation: Accessible Neuroscience that Brings Calm into the Classroom, and her newest book is a companion workbook to the first called Regulation and Co-Regulation Accessible Neuroscience and Connection Strategies for the Classroom and Beyond. This workbook dives deeper with a chapter for parents, a chapter for building communities, a chapter on nurturing neurodivergence, and more. It is rich with ready-to-implement strategies, reflections, prompts, scripts, and activities to help students reach optimal performance by healing nervous systems in the classroom and beyond.

This podcast episode will discuss her new book and the upcoming Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference.

Kris Jenkins has taught our youngest and most vulnerable learners for almost all of her forty years in education! A heart-wrenching trauma early in her young life led to a lifetime of ripples in giving back to other children and their families. Kris wholeheartedly believes that children must feel loved, nurtured, safe, and supported before true learning occurs. In addition to being a full-day preschool teacher, Kris is a published author and the family engagement coordinator for her elementary school.

Dr. Julie Nicholson- For as long as she can remember, she had an insatiable thirst for learning. She always sought knowledge with a passion, whether it’s new ideas, skills, or technologies. This drive to learn and make a positive impact on a large scale has fueled over two decades of leadership and social impact work. Julie holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan and an MBA with concentrations in finance and data analytics from St. Mary’s College of California. Her career spans over twenty years in educational leadership, with a primary focus on expanding equitable opportunities for underserved children, youth, and families.

Julie Kurtz is an author and international speaker consulting and training on trauma and resilience. Julie is the Founder for the Center for Optimal Brain Integration®. She has extensive experience working with youth of all ages. She is a Licensed Therapist in CA and has worked as a Director of Non-Public Schools, Residential Treatment Facilities, Foster Care, Adoption and Homeless Youth Centers, Education and Early Childhood. She trains and consults throughout the United States in school districts ranging from Early Childhood to Grade 12. Ms. Kurtz is the author of several books on trauma and resilience, as well as an award-winning children’s book on building self-awareness and resilience.