From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs: 10 Simple Strategies to Reduce Disruptions and Create Trauma-Responsive Classrooms(Hack Learning)

What if "misbehavior" isn't defiance but communication? You've met the student who melts down over a small change. The one who won't stop moving. The kid who argues with everything you say. You've tried rewards, consequences, charts, and clip systems and still find yourself Googling "how to survive teaching" at midnight. Here's a radical idea: The problem isn't the kid. It's our approach. From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs moves you from trauma-informed awareness to trauma-responsive practice. This is a practical, no-fluff guide that helps you understand what's really going on beneath disruptive behavior. (Spoiler alert: at least half of all students have experienced trauma.) Their "acting out"? It's not about disrespect. It's how they're coping. In 10 quick, doable Hacks, you'll learn how to: Respond to behavior in ways that build trust, not tension Create a calm classroom without losing control Design lessons that support, not retraumatize Handle pushback from those who think trauma-informed = soft This book isn't one more thing to add to your plate. It's a mindset shift that makes teaching easier ... and more human. Perfect for teachers, admin, and anyone who works with kids, this book helps you turn your classroom into a space where healing and learning happen side by side. Small changes, big impact. On your students ... and on you.

About the Author :
Dr. Katie FieldsDr. Katie FieldsDr. Katie Fields > Visiting assistant professor of education, national speaker, educator and foster parent. Katie is committed to advancing the early childhood education profession through advocacy and research, with particular emphasis on her groundbreaking trauma-plus framework for understanding the unique needs of foster children in educational settings. Dr. Jill M. Davis > Professor of education, national presenter, and teacher for 13+ years. Her work centers on empowering educators as catalysts for change, equipping them to lead with confidence, influence policy, find their voices as advocates, and create learning environments where both teachers and children can thrive.

Review :
"From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs gives teachers practical, trauma-responsive strategies they can use right away. Fields and Davis remind us that behavior is communication, and their Hacks provide clear steps for creating classrooms built on safety, connection, and hope. This book not only equips educators with immediate tools but also reinforces a truth I deeply believe: relationships are the key to lasting change. A valuable resource for any educator committed to reaching every student." - Dr. Brad Johnson, #3 Global Guru in Education, international speaker, and author of Room 212 and Relational Intelligence "Infused with hard-won wisdom, this book by seasoned teachers Jill M. Davis and Katie Fields shares discipline and guidance Hacks that will help you create a more peaceful classroom where children can flourish academically and emotionally. Based on solid principles of neuroscience and human development, the ideas they present not only apply to children who have experienced maltreatment and trauma but to all students. And there are practical steps you can implement tomorrow in elementary, middle school, and high school classrooms. A helpful read for all teachers seeking new tools to meet the challenges of classroom life." - Dr. Barbara Sorrels, 25-year educator and university professor, Executive Director of the Institute for Childhood Education in Tulsa, founder of Connected Kids, and author of Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds "I thoroughly enjoyed reading From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs! The writing is so clear and leans far into practice while staying solidly attuned to theory. As I read, I kept thinking, 'They put that idea so succinctly, ' 'I have to remember how they phrased that, ' and 'Why didn't I think of that in my classroom?' In fact, I underlined forty-seven ideas and quotes ... it's that good. As Fields and Davis remind us, strategies that are necessary for our underserved, exploited, and traumatized students are invaluable for the entire class, regardless of their backgrounds. Every school, every student, and every teacher will thrive and grow by reading this book." - Jeffrey Benson, fifty-plus year educator, consultant, presenter, and international author of numerous articles and books, including Hacking School Discipline Together