Confronting Moral Injury in Schools and Taking Action for Change

By Dr. Tim Grivois, Executive Director The truth is that professionals working in schools throughout the country are at risk for moral injury. A moral injury is the harm we experience when our jobs require us to do things that aren’t ok. Typically, this happens one of two ways: The consequences of not addressing moralContinue reading “Confronting Moral Injury in Schools and Taking Action for Change”

Use scripts to deescalate defiant behavior.

Supporting students who exhibit defiant behavior can be challenging for teachers and school leaders. Defiant behavior can range from non-compliance with classroom rules to outright verbal and physical aggression. One effective way to de-escalate this type of behavior is by using scripted responses. Scripted responses provide a consistent and predictable approach to responding to defiant behavior. 

Self-care is the cornerstone of a healing-centered school.

Self-care is a journey—and because we’re all in different places on this journey—helping others heal requires some familiarity with the map. Build healing-centered schools by practice self-love, self-awareness, and self-service first towards yourself, and then towards your school community.

New resource: Individual Behavior Support Plan Template

Worksheet (45 minutes, maybe 90 minutes if there’s a lot to read) or a complete Functional Behavioral Analysis (weeks). Schools can use this template as part of their Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS), Response to Intervention (RTI), or Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) protocols to develop a behavioral support plan for youth.

Emotional regulation & co-regulation to support trauma informed practices

Trauma Informed Care, skills and practices, will be more important than ever upon return to classrooms this fall. During this workshop teachers/staff will reflect upon the emotional toll of the past year as well as identify emotional triggers, learn emotional regulation skills, and understand the importance of co-regulation between student and teacher.

More than the hurt.

In my professional life, I’ve made a commitment to support a trauma-informed approach to care when no such approach currently exists. Now, however, it is time to elevate our understanding of what a healing-centered approach might mean for those we serve and for us as caring professionals.

How to keep those you serve at the center of your work.

The most important member of any team designing any intervention or service will always be the person the plan is supposed to benefit. Instead of assuming to know how best to help someone, find out sure.