Help students and educators cope with fear in the classroom with this up-to-date new resource
In The Courageous Classroom: Creating a Culture of Safety for Students to Learn and Thrive, community psychiatrist Dr. Janet Taylor and nationally acclaimed educator, Jed Dearybury deliver a concise and insightful take on the culture of fear in schools around the country. You'll learn about the various ways fear is present in students and educators, practical tools and strategies for educators to cope with fear and anxiety in the classroom, the reality of racism, homophobia and microaggressions and their impact on learning, and how to create a landscape of calm in your classroom.
This important book will show you:
- The difference between fear and anxiety and how to respond to both
- How to create social-emotional learning environments where students feel mentally and physically safe
- Why, despite schools being safer than ever, students and educators fear for their personal safety
- How to manage educator stress, fear, and anxiety in a time of increasing coverage of school shootings
Perfect for K-12 public school educators, Courageous Classrooms will also earn a place in the libraries of educators in training and parents with school-age children who wish to better help children cope with fear.
Table of Contents:
About the Authors xiii
Foreword xv
Kwame Scruggs, PhD
Introduction xix
Dr. Janet’s Story xxii
Jed’s Story xxii
What to Expect in This Book xxvi
Chapter 1: The Brain’s Fear System 1
Fear is Normal 1
Fear Keeps Us Alive 3
Fear Becomes Courage 7
Fear and Trauma Affects Learning 9
Fear as a Teacher 12
Fear is Paralyzing 14
Fear’s Capacity 17
The Story of Kimmie 20
Let’s Chat 25
Fear is Overcome-able 27
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 27
Learning Principle 28
Chapter 2: Animals and Fear 29
Animals Can Cause Fear 29
Let’s Chat 33
Animals Survive Because of Fear 34
Animals and Mental Health 37
Animals in the Classroom 39
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 43
Learning Principle 44
Chapter 3: Fear Outside School 47
Trauma is an Adverse Childhood Experience 47
Trauma and the Brain’s Development 51
Trauma Presenting in Children 53
Trauma as a Student and Educator 54
Let’s Chat 59
Trauma’s Effect on You 60
Take the ACE Questionnaire 61
The Story of Johnnie 64
Let’s Chat 68
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 70
Learning Principle 70
Tips for Dealing with Your Trauma 71
Chapter 4: Crossing the Threshold into Schools 73
Courage in Spite of Circumstances 73
Courage at The Eagle Academy for Young Men 74
Courage During Car-Line Duty 77
Multi-focal
Approach 78
The Story of Mary 80
Let’s Chat 83
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 85
Learning Principle 85
Chapter 5: Fear Inside School 87
School Shootings 87
School Bullying 95
School Safety 97
School Anti-Bullying Programs 100
Bullying in the Classroom/Supporting Students: Tips for Teachers and Parents 103
Schools and LGBTQ+ Bullying 104
Let’s Chat 108
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 110
A Courageous Mindset 110
Chapter 6: The Brain and Learning 111
The Impact on the Brain 111
The Brain Needs Time 113
The Brain and Sleep 115
The Brain and Adversity 117
The Brain and the Long-Term Effects of Trauma 118
Let’s Chat 121
The Brain of a Coping Teacher 123
The Brain and Classroom Needs 125
The Brain’s Health 127
Resilience 128
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 130
Learning Principle 130
Chapter 7: When Teachers Are Targeted 131
Aggression Against Teachers 131
A Story of Lawrence 133
Aggression and Teacher Safety? 135
Aggression Defined 137
Aggression and Social Learning 139
Aggression Disclaimer 141
Aggression Management 144
A Story of Tatum 146
Let’s Chat 148
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 150
Learning Principle 150
Chapter 8: When a Child Is/Might Be in Danger 153
Relationships Are Paramount 153
Relationships with Student’s Parents 155
Relationships with Students 156
Relationships and Mental Health 157
A Story of Frankie 159
Let’s Chat 161
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 163
Learning Principle 163
Chapter 9: Building Courageous Classrooms 165
A Courageous First Day of School 165
A Courageous Man 166
A Courageous Definition and Neurobiology 168
A Courageous Story 169
Let’s Chat 172
A Courageous Choice 173
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 175
Learning Principle 175
Chapter 10: Creating a Landscape of Calm in the Classroom 177
Acknowledge Diversity 177
Acknowledge the School Environment 179
Acknowledge Physical Spaces 180
Acknowledge Peace and Tranquility 183
Acknowledge Emotions 185
A Story About the Absence of Pride, Comfort, and Safety 185
Let’s Chat 186
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 188
Learning Principle 188
Chapter 11: Health and Education 189
Obesity and School 189
Stress and School 190
Self-Care and School 192
A Story of Teacher Self-Care 195
Let’s Chat 199
Tips for the Courageous Classroom 200
Learning Principles 201
Chapter 12: Talking with Parents 203
Approach as a Partner 203
Approach Without Assumptions 204
Approach with Grace 205
A Story About Anne 206
Approach with Care 208
Approach with Respect 209
Approach with Sensitivity 211
Approach with Resources 214
Let’s Chat 215
Learning Principle 216
Chapter 13: What Now? 219
Let’s Chat 222
Learning Principle 223
Appendix A: External Stimulus of the Brain 225
Appendix B: The Brain’s Fear Circuit 227
References 229
Index 241
About the Author :
JANET TAYLOR, MD, is a community psychiatrist and self-care expert with a focus on mental wellness. Dr. Janet is an international speaker on the impact of racial trauma, racism, anti-racism and conscious allyship, and frequent national media contributor. She is the mother of four daughters and resides in Florida.
JED DEARYBURY is a nationally acclaimed, educational leader providing quality, hands-on, engaging learning experiences for students and teachers across the country. Jed has been featured in GQ magazine as Male Leader of the Year, and met President Obama as the SC winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. He is the author of another Jossey-Bass title, The Playful Classroom.
