Watching this video, I couldn’t help but think it should be retitled 'Blame the Teachers.' It’s astonishing how the conversation throws out wild assumptions and statements about what teachers say and do in the trenches. When neurodiverse kids are assaulting teachers and students on a daily basis, it’s worth considering that they too might have 'trauma'. Mainstream teachers didn’t sign up to manage classrooms of 30 students with multiple neurodiverse needs in environments that are completely unmanageable. Maybe a day in the classroom would offer a clearer picture of the real challenges teachers face and you might have an appreciation for how unrealistic your expectations are.
The challenges that teachers face are very real and we absolutely acknowledge them. Trauma informed education is about supporting not only the students but also the teachers whether they already carry trauma or are experiencing trauma due to the stress and demands of their role. The conversations only state the reality of what many disabled and neurodivergent students experience in education, it is not about blaming teachers, but about highlighting educational trauma often due to lack of adequate systemic supports and understanding of supporting diverse learners. This is a complex and systemic issue that needs to be addressed and we are hopeful that every individual working in this space can make a positive difference to the students and teachers they interact with.
Watching this video, I couldn’t help but think it should be retitled 'Blame the Teachers.' It’s astonishing how the conversation throws out wild assumptions and statements about what teachers say and do in the trenches. When neurodiverse kids are assaulting teachers and students on a daily basis, it’s worth considering that they too might have 'trauma'. Mainstream teachers didn’t sign up to manage classrooms of 30 students with multiple neurodiverse needs in environments that are completely unmanageable. Maybe a day in the classroom would offer a clearer picture of the real challenges teachers face and you might have an appreciation for how unrealistic your expectations are.
The challenges that teachers face are very real and we absolutely acknowledge them. Trauma informed education is about supporting not only the students but also the teachers whether they already carry trauma or are experiencing trauma due to the stress and demands of their role. The conversations only state the reality of what many disabled and neurodivergent students experience in education, it is not about blaming teachers, but about highlighting educational trauma often due to lack of adequate systemic supports and understanding of supporting diverse learners. This is a complex and systemic issue that needs to be addressed and we are hopeful that every individual working in this space can make a positive difference to the students and teachers they interact with.