Differentiated instruction has always been about providing every learner full opportunity to grow as much as possible academically, intellectually, and socially. A key principle of differentiation is "teaching up" (Tomlinson, 2021, 2022; Tomlinson & Javius, 2012). Teaching up is of particular importance at this moment in education…

A veteran educator tells stories of four children she taught who each struggled with trauma and were at risk of disconnecting from school and sliding into tragic life outcomes. She shares lessons she learned from reaching out to each child and general lessons about helping students with trauma--including to never go it alone.

How can we reassure anxious students while teaching remotely--especially as educators, too, feel overwhelmed by stress and the need to educate kids while minimizing risk of infection by COVID? Minahan details concrete ways teachers can support and calm students with serious anxiety or trauma histories. She includes examples of "what to…

Education consultants share four strategies based on an abundance of research that capitalize on students' strengths and focus on building relationships to help minimize the impact of trauma on learning.

The extended switch to remote learning altered the lives and education of many students--and school leaders must adjust their approach to mitigate the harm. Levenson describes three shifts school leaders should make: providing rigorous, grade-level instruction to all kids, with extra learning time given to strugglers; focusing how we provide SEL…

As the pandemic lessens slightly and schools begin to reopen, many voices urge schools to go down three faulty paths to recovery and improvement: using testing to address "learning loss," an unintegrated focus on social-emotional learning, or a push for continued ed tech and online learning. The authors suggest alternative paths that…

As schools continue to transition from pandemic-induced disruption to a new normal, educators must realize that the most vulnerable students are the ones who've been harmed the most. The problem is, because trauma and mental health distress aren't immediately visible, educators won't know "which" students are in a quiet state of…

Color. Carpets. Configurations. The classroom can create a sense of safety, calm, and invitation to learn if designed correctly. Authors and educators Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and Dominique Smith describe their journey to making their school's classrooms trauma-informed and safe, inviting spaces for students.

The Handle with Care program helps schools help students who experience trauma. While at the scene of an event like a domestic violence call, drug raid, or car accident, law enforcement personnel determine the names and school of any children present. They notify that child's school to "handle ___ with care" the next day, and the school…

Students in poverty need both academic and social supports. Former New York City Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew and scholar Pedro Noguera argue that students in poverty need both intensive academic and social supports. They maintain that U.S. education policy, with its focus on academic accountability, has generally failed to grasp this dual…

The overwhelming majority of disabilities (such as anxiety, depression, autism, learning disabilities, and autoimmune disorders) are not visually apparent. Despite the known risks of isolation, little attention has been paid to how students with "invisible disabilities" develop a sense of belonging in our schools, and what actions we, as…

In order to reach black students academically, we must first know where they "live" socially, culturally, and emotionally, says Horace Hall, a mentor in Chicago Public Schools. In his work with Chicago teens, Hall has learned the importance of understanding the significant challenges these youth face, both within and outside of school,…

With the National Alliance for Mental Illness estimating that 20 percent of 13-18 year-olds live with a mental health condition, it is essential for teachers to know their legal and ethical obligations in assisting their students and creating a welcoming environment for them to thrive. Merz, a middle school teacher for 30 years, discusses what…

Opioid abuse has become an epidemic in America and exposure to the drugs often begins in high school. This article shares some facts about opioid use and some signs and symptoms to look for in students who may be addicted to the drug. The authors also offer tips for educators on how to deal with the legal issues involved in assessing, reporting,…

Collaboration between students' families and the school is an essential component to promoting student mental and behavioral health. Many schools structure their mental health services using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports that offers three different tiers of support from universal supports to personalized help for students with serious…