AWSNA & WECAN SE Regional Conference 2024

A Trauma Primer with Angela Davis

The word “trauma” has become a popular buzzword in our culture but what does it mean? Participants will explore the meanings and definitions of trauma and create their own personal understanding of trauma. Using a model that contrasts normal emotional responses with trauma responses, participants will gain awareness and self-awareness, as well as generate conscious strategies for change. Activities will reinforce concepts of meta-awareness and metacognition in order to use this knowledge to deepen meaning and connections in all relationships.

The gift of Feedback with Kim Richardson

This workshop session will detail how to mobilize feedback as part of your school culture as a way to understand different perspectives. We will unravel some fears, internal thoughts, and perfectionism through self examination in order to approach feedback with the same observational nature as teachers use to see students.

Developmental Movement for the Well-being of the Children and Ourselves with Lynn St Pierre

Today young children are often surrounded by fear and anxiety, and experiencing trauma themselves. Learn to create a space filled with warmth, a sense of deep peace, and a gentle joy; a healing antidote to today’s complicated world.  With the touch and elemental plays created by Wilma Ellersiek, we offer a rich, health-giving, developmental movement experience where the children’s well-being can flourish. This is an experiential workshop with gesture, singing and large movement ~ wear loose comfortable clothing and layers.  For our presence, well-being and rejuvenation, we will learn a Spacial Dynamics® form and hands-on technique. 

*WORKSHOP FULL* Healing the Past Can Cultivate Genius with Lennis Dionne Sample

This seminar aims to explore the concept of healing trauma through an educational lens, drawing inspiration from the book “Cultivating Genius” by Gholdy Muhammad. Participants will delve into the impact of trauma on students’ lives and learn practical strategies to create a healing-centered educational environment. By understanding the connection between trauma and learning, educators can empower students to heal from their past and cultivate their genius.

Trauma-informed Teacher Expectations and Remedial Drawing with Japa Buckner

Discussion of how the Waldorf Curriculum and Four-fold picture of the childs guides trauma-informed education. And how childrens’ drawings may be used as trauma indicators, for reactive planning and executive function development.

Soul Tower with Rob Lanier

The Soul Tower is a color pastel chalk drawing of your mood of soul.  You will be guided in building up the pallet then gentle suggestions lead to finding contrast, movement and emerging forms. Final products are ephemeral delights, all unique and deeply personal soul portraits. Introduced to me by Karina Finser.

Healing Through Handwork with Angela Davis

Handwork has seemingly indescribable powers to soothe one’s heart and mind. In this workshop, we will explore our emotions within the context of current neurological research on trauma and connect that research to the healing power of handwork and creative pursuits. Research supports the use of our hands as a practice for dealing with life’s ups and downs. Participants will learn about the parts of their emotional system, how to regulate and co-regulate, what it means in development of one’s will, and how to use handwork activities to support growth, expression, and ease. 

Everyone Can Sing! With Emily Hoppe

Singing is healing. Singing is transforming. Singing connects us all. From the beginning of time, it has been a universal language, one that some have forgotten how to speak. One of my missions as an educator is to undo the musical trauma that many adults have experienced. Each of our voices is unique and beautiful and worthy of being lifted up with others. We will move and sing and tell stories together joyfully!

Intro to Restorative Justice with Eileen Fauver

When someone has harmed another, how does your institution respond, and is it effective?  In this workshop you will learn what Restorative Justice is and how the process aims to promote connection, understanding, responsibility-taking and reintegration into the community when someone has harmed another.  We will explore how to adapt the restorative justice framework to common conflicts in the school setting (conflicts between or among students, administrators, parents, board members, and faculty). 

Children experiencing trauma in the Early Childhood Setting with Laurie Clark

When children are exposed and confronted with world troubles, it can cause them a great amount of anxiety and distress. The traumatic impact of isolation still casts its shadow on the young child’s path of development along with the fear that COVID carried with it. 

There are many things that we already do in the classroom which help the children exhibiting trauma. We will explore how to deepen our understanding of how we can support, soothe and comfort the children in our care.