Cultivating Trauma Informed Spaces in Education Promising Practices Manual

Abstract

This innovative, multifaceted, and comprehensive manual supports post secondary educational professionals in cultivating trauma informed educational environments. Integrating a three tiered organizational framework, evidence informed promising practices, and strategic institutional recommendations, the manual offers actionable guidance for diverse roles across post secondary education. Grounded in a trauma informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework, it outlines promising practices that include fostering authentic, courageous and safer spaces; supporting autonomy and choice; creative and supportive curriculum design; commitment to reflexive practice and growth; cultivating individual and collective wellness; and organizational recommendations. The hope is that educators and educational institutions, through this preventative and harm-reducing approach, can enhance their learning spaces and workplaces to become more compassionate, supportive, equitable, and flexible; further supporting the collective care and well-being of the diverse community, while addressing the systemic causes of trauma within and outside of the educational system.