IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND LOSS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Trauma and loss are constant companions for many of today’s children.  Whether it is divorce, death of a loved one, abandonment, abuse, rejection, or a multitude of other difficult scenarios, many of our students must process emotions at a deeper level than in years past.  This class will help each educator to understand the depth of loss and strategies to assist the child that is processing this grief.  We will explore interventions to help the child find the school as a support system as well as encourage their academic progress.  Participants will learn several different formats for the stages of grief, interventions to support students who are struggling with anxiety, grief and depression as well as understanding the characteristics and stages of emotional and moral development in students. This course will share ideas to increase motivation and attention for these children while "coming alongside them" in encouragement and compassion.  

This course is appropriate for all students and educators (P-12) including administrators, counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other support services.

Course workbook is free and downloadable from the instructorʼs website after registration. Cost of text will vary depending upon your choice and bookseller selected.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

1. The skills to identify various moods and emotions for children.
2. The understanding to prepare an action plan for each child that will increase his/her success within the school system.
3. The knowledge on how to approach children who are suffering from trauma and loss and provide support and encouragement.
4. The ability to identify necessary resources for children and develop a strong community referral system.
5. The knowledge to develop lessons that are emotionally supportive to children as well as cognitively challenging.
6. The understanding to assist a child in his/her personal decision making process and develop effective alternatives for life.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit. The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit.

The use of artificial intelligence is not permitted. Assignment responses found to be generated by AI will not be accepted.
 

HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participants their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering, determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

You may choose a book from the Bibliography OR Select a relevant book on your own, with my prior approval.
The Bibliography is located at the end of the syllabus. 
Text books may be ordered directly from the publisher (see the list/emails at the back of your manual), online, or through bookstores. 

None. All reading is online.

MATERIALS FEE

A course manual may be downloaded, from the instructor’s website at http://www.michaelsedler.com There is no charge of the manual. Click on classes, from there scroll down the page and click on the orange lettering ‘Manual’ next to the class “The Impact of Trauma...”. It will download as a PDF. While there is no fee for the manual, you may have to pay to order a book from the bibliography or one of your own choosing. Or, you may borrow one from a friend or check one out at the public library for free.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

Mike Sedler, M.S.W., D. Min., brings over 40 year of educational experience as a special education director, social worker, behavior specialist and teacher to each of his classes.   He provides consultation and seminars throughout the United States and Canada for schools, agencies and businesses. He has a graduate degree in Social Work, a Doctoral degree in Ministry, a Counseling license, as well as his teaching certification. Mike has worked with children of all ages, specifically with children exhibiting behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, and characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder.  In addition, he taught general education classes in the elementary school and middle school arenas.   All of Mikeʼs classes are practical and “field tested” in schools and classrooms. Educators have found success in implementing Mikeʼs clear and concise approaches. All of his course material may be immediately implemented into a school or a home.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND LOSS

You may choose a book from this list or one of your own choosing that is compatible to this course.  Please let the instructor know if you choose a book that is not on this list.

Attached, Emily and Fernandez, Marzia.  Mental Health Workbook.  Audio book, 2020.  Amazon Books  This book helps ones to understand anxiety, attachment and recovery from struggles.  (P-12).  www.amazon.com

Colker, Laura and Erdman, Sarah.  Trauma and Young Children.  National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2020.  This book provide specific strategies to mitigate and buffer the effects of toxic stress on young children.  (P-12).  www.naeyc.org  

Fisher, Douglas and Frey, Nancy.  Teaching Hope and Resilience For Students Experiencing Trauma.  Teachers College Press, 2019. The impact of trauma on students.  (grades P-12). www.tcpress.com   

Goldman, Lind and Kyle Schwartz.  Creating Inclusion and Well-being for Marginalized Students.  Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017.  Through case studies, the author presents strategies to assist children through shame, trauma, and exclusion. (grades P-12)  www.jkp.com  

Heineman, Mary Ellen.  Resolving Your Child’s Challenging Behavior.  Brookes Publishing, 2022.  Strategies to connect with children in the midst of difficulties. (P-8).  www.brookespublishing.com

Hurley, Katie.  The Depression Workbook for Teens.  Althea Press, 2019.  A workbook to help teens work through feelings of depression  (grades 7-12).  www.amazon.com. 

McGuiness, Sheri.  Choosing Hope, Finding Joy.    Sojourn Publishing, 2016.  Personal story of loss and family dealing with it. (grades P-12).  www.amazon.com  

Phifer, Lisa and Sibbald, Laura.  Trauma-Informed Social Emotional Toolbox.  Pesi Publishing, 2020.  Empower children and adolescents to cope with trauma and build resiliency.  (P-12)  www.pesi.com  

Rosier, Tamara.  Your Brain’s Not Broken.  Revell, 2021.      A book that explains ‘why you act and feel’ the way you do.  (7-12 grades).  www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Schonfeld, David and Quackenbush, Marcia.  The Grieving Student.  Brookes Publishing, 2021.  How to provide sensitive support to students.  (P-12).  www.brookespublishing.com

Trenton, Nick.  Stop Overthinking: 23 Techniques to Relieve Stress and Negative Spirals.  How to get out of the loop of negative thinking and patterns.  Independently published, 2021.  www.nicktrenton.com

Zacarian, Debbie and Lourdes Alvarez-Ortiz.  Teaching To Strengths: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence, and Chronic Stress. ASCD, 2017.    A comprehensive, collaborative approach to teaching that focuses on students' strengths and resiliency.   www.ascd.org