{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"71553064","dateCreated":"1421701513","smartDate":"Jan 19, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"TerriCooper","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/TerriCooper","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1420660256\/TerriCooper-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/lpsbookstudy2015.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/71553064"},"dateDigested":1532252528,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Sandy's Story","description":"Sadly, Sandy\u2019s foster parents didn\u2019t know about her violent history of abuse. Often, teachers are in the same situation. We know very little about our students\u2019 backgrounds. Even when we do know, we are probably just scratching the surface of their history. Is it important that we know a student\u2019s history? How do we support students if we don\u2019t have that information? How do trauma sensitive approaches benefit all students?<br \/>\nTerri Cooper","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"82270986","body":"Over the years, I have learned about the varying traumas that can occur at home. Sometimes students will tell me, sometimes parents or school personnel (if allowed) will tell me, sometimes no one tells me. I often scan the arrest reports and obits and find out information unexpectedly that way. It really doesn't matter how or even if I find out exactly what has occurred as long as I approach traumas in a sensitive manner. I have had several parents die during the school year, and student reaction has varied from not showing emotion at all to daily crying. My approach really depends on the child. Most children don't want probing questions (nor is that appropriate) so usually I just explain that if they need &quot;an ear&quot; they can come to me (or our guidance  counselor) and we will just listen and offer quiet support. I also accommodate schedules and work assignments as much as possible. With students, flexibility and showing you care is crucial to their success.","dateCreated":"1432660999","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"barkera1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/barkera1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82273470","body":"I don't feel that it is important that we know a student's history because as an educator I feel that most children are coming to me with some sort of trauma from abuse, to family dynamic issues. It is my job to recognize those that are struggling and to put measures in place to support those students and make them feel safe and important. Treating all students as if they have experienced trauma will just build students who are more able to function academically and socially on a daily basis.","dateCreated":"1432667103","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"dperez69","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dperez69","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274544","body":"Knowing a child's history is important. It can help you to better understand why a child acts a certain way, educate in a style that meets their needs, and build a bond with children. I truly feel that when you make connections and build relationships it's a win for you and the child. Knowing trauma can help an educator to steer away from cetain topics that might cause stress for the child. First and formost I want to build an environment that fosters trust and a feeling of comfort. Then learning and truly happen.Hurleyj","dateCreated":"1432670840","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274554","body":"I would like to know as much as I can about my students. I always keep in mind there could be more, and there is always misinformation. But when it comes to cases of trauma, I would want to empower, encourage, and enlighten them. Knowing their history can help me stay away from certain topics that might create stress or cause insecurity. My first job as teacher is to create a safe and loving environment for learning. Knowing a students history can help that.  Moyer","dateCreated":"1432670866","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82274566","body":"I really enjoy the open house before school starts. This gives me the opportunity to meet, not only the student, but also the parents\/guardians and possibly other family members. It sets the ground work for an open and positive relationship. It allows the school year to start off with familiarity and a bond of trust is open. This is extremely important to me in getting to know my students and getting some insight into what their home life is like. Questions such as: Are their daily needs being met? Did they get enough to eat? etc. It's heart wrenching to learn that some of our students are homeless or being forced to listen to fights between their parents etc. This rocks their whole world. By developing that sense of trust and caring, students open up and share insights into their world. Learning a student's history can be very important in identifying why they are the way they are, but also it can be extremely helpful in interacting with them, teaching them, and understanding them so we can be positive influences in their lives and help them in their growth and development. Roopani","dateCreated":"1432670888","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"Lps-sysop","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Lps-sysop","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82276572","body":"I think it depend on your interaction with the student.  Sometimes if we know too much we may get too involved and other times it is needed to help that student feel safe, loved and just listened to. Having knowledge of the child may also help how you react to a situation or how to better educate them. Woods","dateCreated":"1432677463","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"jwoods1616","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jwoods1616","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82279502","body":"I do need to know the basics of my students\u2019 history. I don't always want to know everything, including other's perceptions of their behavior or needs.  I like to allow my ideas of what a student needs, and how to react to be based on interacting with them.  By taking the time to get to know them I learn a lot about how to meet their needs. That said I also find that I am the biggest single influence in my classroom.  If I use strategies that are known to help students who have experienced trauma, it makes a huge difference in my entire outlook, and the interactions in my classroom.","dateCreated":"1432686853","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"lantzyc","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lantzyc","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82279504","body":"I do need to know the basics of my students\u2019 history. I don't always want to know everything, including other's perceptions of their behavior or needs.  I like to allow my ideas of what a student needs, and how to react to be based on interacting with them.  By taking the time to get to know them I learn a lot about how to meet their needs. That said I also find that I am the biggest single influence in my classroom.  If I use strategies that are known to help students who have experienced trauma, it makes a huge difference in my entire outlook, and the interactions in my classroom.","dateCreated":"1432686854","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"lantzyc","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lantzyc","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82280590","body":"I think it is important to know a child's history so you are not shocked or caught off guard if they feel comfortable enough to talk to you about it. As educators we should be compassionate toward children, so even if we don't have that information, we can still support them by taking time to listen to them and showing them that we care. H. Paprzycki","dateCreated":"1432689949","smartDate":"May 26, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"paprzyckih","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/paprzyckih","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82288236","body":"It can be helpful to know a student\u2019s history; however, I have usually preferred to meet students before reading or hearing too many details about their history. With an open mind and heart I embrace and welcome who the student is without preconceived thoughts or expectations. There was one time I met a child when knowing what I didn\u2019t know might have helped me understand the child\u2019s behavior and responses to our initial interaction, but it would not have changed my approach. CaroneD","dateCreated":"1432722529","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"CaroneD","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/CaroneD","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82290292","body":"I feel that their is a valid argument for both sides of this debate.  Knowledge of history often leads to preconcived notions about a child, which often leads to the raising or lowering of one's expectations.  Whithout knowledge of prior history, everyone enters on a level playing field.  Students who have endured trama often come with a list of dos and don'ts without this prior knowledge, we could be further damaging the child or making them feel as if they are in a hostile environment when that is the last thing we wish to do.","dateCreated":"1432731735","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"mommypoz","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mommypoz","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"82290694","body":"At times I\u2019m torn between wanting to know and not.  Shouldn\u2019t I treat every student with a kind, caring and loving heart?  Of course I should-that goes without saying.  Then other times I feel if I have the knowledge of a trauma I would better understand any inappropriate behavior that could possibly happen in my classroom.  I would always want them to know that I am there any time they need me but I don\u2019t want them to feel embarrassed if it is something they don\u2019t want anyone else to know.","dateCreated":"1432732476","smartDate":"May 27, 2015","userCreated":{"username":"dusekm","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/dusekm","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}}],"more":41}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}