The Brain and Trauma (Section 1), Short, Spring 2025

Course Description

When a child experiences a traumatic event or is living in chronic stress, these events can significantly impact their brain development. Some children actually freeze their brain development at the age of the event while others might develop health issues later in life. It has been proven that trauma and chronic stress can dramatically impact a young developing brain. As teachers, we have seen evidence of this in our classrooms more and more.

In this course, we will take a deep dive into different structures of the brain, their purposes and how they are impacted. Students will learn exactly what is happening within the brain pathways as these traumatic events are happening and what is happening when they are triggered.

This will be the first of four courses set up to create a certificate being offered to students by Vermont State University. More information to follow.

Audience: All those working in a school setting who hold an earned bachelor’s degree

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

• Students will leave this class with a clear understanding of the functions of the brain
• Students will be able to apply the learned knowledge and reflect on how this impacts the students in their classroom
• Students will articulate clearly through examples in their classroom, case studies, podcasts, books and articles the impact of trauma on the brain

Course Objectives:

• Students will be able to label main parts of the brain and state what their functions are
• Students will discuss how these part of the brain work together
• Students will be able to identify how trauma impacts the brain
• Students will be create a list of examples on what this might look like in your classroom
• Students will be able to reflect on a case study and provide examples of how trauma impacts the brain

Instructor

Ashley Short, M.A.Ed., has been teaching in a BRSU district program, serving students who struggle with emotional regulation due to trauma and/or chronic stress, since 2016. She has taken many courses and workshops with Dave Melnick and Alex Shevrin-Venet. In 2023 she completed her Trauma and Resilience Certificate through Wilmington University. She began teaching adults in her district through workshops. Helping teachers and students who are struggling with emotional regulation and trauma has become a deep passion and she is excited to share her knowledge with you.

Required Texts

Required texts not included in cost of course.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel

Van Der Kolk, M.D. 2015. (ISBN 978-0143127741)

What Happened To You: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing by Bruce D.

Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey. 2021. (ISBN 978-1250223180)

The Biological Effects of Childhood Trauma by Michael D. De Bellis MD, MPH and Abigail Zisk, AB

Course Schedule

Course Schedule and Assignments:

Week 1:

• Read chapters 1-4 in The Body Keeps the Score
• Reading Questions
• Journal Reflection
• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)
• Virtual Meeting 1

Week 2:

• Read chapters 5-8 in The Body Keeps the Score
• Reading Questions
• Journal Reflection
• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)

Week 3:

• Read chapters 9-12 in The Body Keeps the Score
• Reading Questions
• Journal Reflection
• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)
• Virtual Meeting 2

Week 4:

• Read chapters 13-16 in The Body Keeps the Score
• Reading Questions
• Journal Reflection
• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)

Week 5:

• Read chapters 17-20 in The Body Keeps the Score
• Reading Questions
• Journal Reflection
• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)

Week 6:

• Video Dissection
• Discussion (1 initial post & respond to at least 2 classmates)
• Final Project

For additional course information

Ashley Short

(413) 441-9104

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team
(802) 468-1325

Register now!