There’s a lot Melisa Sandoval wants educators to know about childhood trauma. But perhaps the most important thing is this: Itap not a life sentence.
The brain can heal from trauma with the right relationships and environment, said Sandoval, the director of social emotional learning and student agency for the 9,000-student Westminster School District in suburban Denver.
“There’s hope,” she said.
While Sandoval estimates that more than two-thirds of district students have experienced at least one significant “adverse childhood experience,” such as abuse, neglect or the death of a parent, she doesn’t want teachers getting overwhelmed by the numbers.
Thatap why part of her job — a new position created last summer — is to give teachers the tools to address trauma and teach social and emotional skills. This can mean helping students improve communication, exercise self control, and learn how to solve conflicts.
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