Annie chats with Avonley Lightstone, author, advocate, and trauma survivor, about how educators can better understand student trauma, build resilience, and create classroom environments rooted in compassion and empowerment.

To connect with Avonley, check out his website here: https://avonleylightstone.com/

(00:06) Hidden Struggles Students Face
(10:36) From Pain to Purpose
(18:17) Finding Strength Through Adversity
(22:49) Healing Through Storytelling
(26:04) The iShed Method Explained
(29:36) Mindset Shifts for Teachers
(35:22) How Teachers Change Lives
(43:20) Embracing Imperfection in Teaching

What You’ll Learn:
✅ Discover how unrecognized trauma can shape student behavior and learning
✅ Learn how mindset shifts can foster resilience in both students and teachers
✅ Understand why small acts of kindness can have a life-changing impact
✅ Explore how forgiveness and empathy can transform classroom culture
✅ Gain strategies for creating trauma-informed, supportive learning spaces

Packed with honesty, inspiration, and actionable insights, this episode reminds educators that every scar tells a story—and every teacher has the power to help rewrite it.

#Education #TraumaInformedTeaching #Resilience #Teaching #StudentSupport #MentalHealth #Advocacy #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #Scars #AvonleyLightstone #EducatorUniversity