Passports to Success

Assuring Positive Educational Experiences
For Children in Out-of-home Care


Module 4: Page 2 of 8

Imagine the following scenario...

Using the audio player to the right, listen to the experience of a teacher trying to connect to one of his students, Brian, who is in out-of-home care.

As frustrating as Brian’s behavior is, we now have scientific information that explains it. Brian is showing symptoms of trauma. There is a growing body of knowledge about trauma and increased understanding about the effect trauma can have on the developing child.

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"I wasn't prepared for his behavior"

Transcript

“Brian has just been transferred into my classroom. I know that he’s in a foster home and that he had some academic challenges in his previous school, but I wasn’t prepared for his behavior. He doesn’t pay attention, he is very disorganized, he can’t finish assignments, and the smallest change in routine seems to send him into a tailspin. He doesn’t seem to remember the lesson we did the previous day in class. In fact, he doesn’t seem to remember my directions when I explain classroom assignments. I’ve tried repeating them to him and he still doesn’t remember. No matter how hard I try, I can’t connect with him. He has trouble getting along with the other students, too, and doesn’t seem interested in how anyone else might feel. I want to teach him in a way that will support his learning, but where do I start when I can’t understand what’s going on with him?”

 

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