ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses neurodevelopment and the impact of trauma; the development of the Compassionate School model; and piloting the Compassionate School model. It also discusses what teachers and staff need in order to succeed; a description of the Compassionate School model; and specific strategies for initiating and sustaining change toward becoming a Compassionate School. A compassionate school articulates the relationship between learning and social and emotional health and involves more than the single efforts of the school. Recent and compelling research suggests that social emotional health is foundational to cognitive development. The development of trauma-informed education began in Washington State in 2008 with a focused study to understand the impact of adversity on students and the development of a pedagogical framework and professional development on strategies to mitigate that adversity. One of the key aspects of the Washington State Compassionate School initiative is its emphasis on self-care.
