January 12, 2026 in Blog by Dee

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Teaching

By: Southeast Missouri State University

Students arrive at school each day with a variety of challenges; unfortunately, one challenge many students face is having experienced trauma.

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they reach age 16.

Trauma associated with a variety of issues can significantly affect a student’s ability to learn. But educators who are trained in trauma-informed teaching can implement strategies to address the impediments to learning that trauma introduces. By creating a safe learning environment for students and following other trauma-informed teaching practices, educators can support students who are facing the effects of trauma and help improve their educational outcomes.

What Is Trauma-Informed Teaching? 

Students can experience trauma related to any of a host of factors such as abuse, neglect, community violence, domestic violence, stress or a natural disaster. These experiences can lead to students’ being fearful, withdrawn or angry, which can make it more difficult for them to learn. Using trauma-informed teaching practices enables teachers to help students address these challenges and get the most out of their education.

Think of trauma-informed teaching as a set of practices designed to create a safe and supportive environment for students who are facing or have faced trauma. These practices take into account the ways in which trauma can affect students, and they seek to help students feel more empowered. Trauma-informed teaching practices are meant to improve students’ ability to feel secure and help them form trusting relationships with teachers.

Characteristics of Trauma-Informed Teaching 

Employing trauma-informed practices when teaching students involves:

• Cultivating strong relationships with students. Teachers create relationships with students that are based on trust.

• Instilling feelings of safety. Teachers work to ensure that students feel they are in a safe environment throughout the entire school day, in any location on campus.

• Demonstrating compassion. Teachers refrain from judging students’ behavior and, instead, show students compassion.

• Enabling students to express their feelings. Teachers help students communicate by actively listening to them and encouraging them to communicate both orally and in writing.

• Providing students with positive reinforcement. Teachers take advantage of opportunities to give students honest feedback regarding their successes and accomplishments.

• Recognizing triggers and acknowledging students’ need for additional help. Teachers know which activities or other educational approaches might trigger traumatic responses in students. Additionally, teachers remain alert to signs that students may need additional support services or counseling.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Benefits in the Classroom 

Using trauma-informed teaching practices can result in a wide range of benefits. Some examples of these benefits are highlighted below. 

Improved Student Resilience 

Trauma-informed teaching can boost students’ resilience, which can lessen the effects of trauma and make it easier for students to learn. Teaching students using trauma-informed approaches enables students to build emotional intelligence and feelings of belonging, which can also facilitate learning. 

Enhanced Student Focus 

By strengthening students’ ability to focus, trauma-informed teaching can improve students’ school attendance and reduce their disciplinary issues. Using trauma-informed teaching methods can also result in fewer incidents in which students become physically aggressive. 

Better Academic Outcomes 

Because trauma-informed practices can create an environment in which students improve their ability to learn, the ultimate result of trauma-informed teaching is improvement in students’ overall academic outcomes. 

Improved Campus Culture for All Students and Teachers 

Creating an atmosphere of compassion through trauma-informed teaching can change the entire culture of a school for the better, which can benefit all of the school’s students and teachers. 

Greater Teacher Confidence 

Teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices have more strategies at their disposal and can opt for more compassionate approaches to addressing students’ learning challenges. This can empower teachers and give them a greater sense of confidence in their work. 

Trauma-Informed Teaching Helps Students Achieve Academic Success 

When students have teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices, they can learn in environments that improve their odds for academic success. Trauma-informed teaching approaches enable educators to offer instruction in ways that acknowledge the challenges students face and that encourage students to engage in the learning process.