TI Brief #4: Prioritizing Teachers: Importance of Self-Care and Adult Social and Emotional Competencies

Trauma Brief cover

It is important now more than ever for states and districts to support their teachers by addressing their mental health and social and emotional needs. Professional development trainings (PD) are a great way to focus on teacher self-care and foster adult social and emotional competencies that are both critical for creating safe and supportive learning environments. The brief highlights two critical components of professional development trainings for educators –self-care, and adult social and emotional competencies, commonly referred to as “adult SEL.” The brief provides guidance for practitioners at the school, district, and state level on how to develop a tailored approach for conducting PD for educators, by fostering their well-being and building their capacity to engage in trauma-informed pedagogy. Additional resources about PD are provided at the end of the brief.

Manian, N., Belfield, W., and Berger, C. (2021). Prioritizing Teachers: Importance of Self-Care and Adult Social and Emotional Competencies. Rockville, MD: National Comprehensive Center at Westat.