| Course Number: | EDX 5710 S21 |
| Instructor: | Ashley Short, M.A.Ed. |
| Location: | Online using Zoom videoconferencing and Canvas. |
| Dates and Times: | Sep 15, 2024 - Oct 12, 2024. First synchronous meeting will be September 18 from 3:30-5:30 pm. The second synchronous meeting will be set by the group based on availability. The remainder of the course will take place in an online, asynchronous, independent format. |
| Credits: | 3 graduate credits |
| Tuition: | $1,195 |
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
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 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
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 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
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4:
(413) 441-9104
Center for Schools Team
(802) 468-1325