Trauma-Informed Classroom Presentation for School Board: Reducing Suspensions and Supporting Students

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Writing Assignment #4—Presentation to School Board

(200 points; 21 hours of engagement) Due by 11:59 PM on Monday of Week 8

The purpose of this audio/visual assignment is to synthesize all that you have learned about building a trauma-informed classroom.

Consider the following situation: A parent advocacy group has recently been attending school board meetings and loudly protesting the high suspension and expulsion data in your district. The school board has directed the school administration to identify possible alternative approaches to suspensions and expulsions. Your principal knows that you embrace trauma-informed teaching practices and arranges for you to prepare a presentation to the school board describing a trauma-informed approach.

Your goal is to provide a substantive and persuasive presentation advocating trauma-informed approaches in the classroom. Your presentation should include:

  • 10-15 slides, including a title slide, a conclusion slide, and a references slide.
  • Voiceover narration, with presentation not exceeding 10 minutes. Maintain a consistent voice throughout (first or third person).
  • A minimum of five scholarly sources to support your arguments.
  • Brief background information describing the pervasiveness and impact of childhood trauma.
  • Discussion of the role of educator mindset, agency, and self-awareness in supporting children experiencing trauma.
  • Analysis of current classroom practices and why they do not align with what we know about children experiencing trauma.
  • Description of effective classroom practices in a trauma-informed classroom. Be sure to account for academic, social, and cultural practices.
  • Suggestions of concrete steps the board should consider in supporting current and emerging trauma-informed classrooms.

 

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Alright — take a breath. This is a big assignment, but it is completely manageable when you break it into clear sections. I’m going to walk you through exactly how to structure your slides, what to say in your voiceover, and how to make this persuasive and scholarly.

STEP 1: Understand Your Audience

You are presenting to a school board.

That means:

  • They care about data.

  • They care about discipline numbers.

  • They care about budgets and implementation.

  • They care about outcomes.

Your tone should be:

  • Professional

  • Evidence-based

  • Calm

  • Solution-oriented

You are not criticizing the district. You are offering a research-supported solution.

STEP 2: Structure Your Slides (10–15 Total)

Here is a recommended slide outline that keeps you within the 10-minute limit:

Slide 1: Title Slide

  • Title of presentation

  • Your name

  • Course

  • Date

Keep it clean and professional.

Slide 2: The Problem

Include:

  • Brief mention of suspension/expulsion rates

  • Why exclusionary discipline is concerning

Voiceover tip:
Explain that high suspension rates are often linked to behavioral responses rooted in trauma.

Slide 3: What Is Childhood Trauma?

Define trauma using research from:

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Explain:

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

  • Pervasiveness of trauma

  • Impact on brain development

Slide 4: Impact of Trauma on Learning

Discuss:

  • Emotional regulation challenges

  • Attention and executive functioning

  • Fight, flight, freeze responses

You may reference the landmark Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–Kaiser ACE Study.

Explain how trauma affects:

  • Behavior

  • Academic performance

  • Relationships with adults

Slide 5: Why Traditional Discipline Falls Short

Analyze:

  • Zero-tolerance policies

  • Suspension as exclusion

  • Punitive approaches

Explain why removing students does not address:

  • Root causes

  • Emotional regulation skills

  • Safety needs

Be analytical here — not emotional.

Slide 6: Educator Mindset and Self-Awareness

This is critical.

Discuss:

  • Shifting from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”

  • Implicit bias

  • Emotional triggers in educators

  • Professional agency

Explain how adult regulation models student regulation.

Slide 7: What Is a Trauma-Informed Classroom?

Use research from:

  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Define core principles:

  • Safety

  • Trustworthiness

  • Choice

  • Collaboration

  • Empowerment

  • Cultural responsiveness

Slide 8: Academic Practices

Examples:

  • Predictable routines

  • Flexible deadlines when appropriate

  • Scaffolded instruction

  • Regulation breaks

Explain how these improve academic outcomes.

Slide 9: Social & Cultural Practices

Discuss:

  • Restorative practices

  • Relationship-building

  • Culturally responsive teaching

  • Student voice

Connect to equity in discipline.

Slide 10: Evidence That It Works

Include 2–3 scholarly findings showing:

  • Reduced suspensions

  • Improved attendance

  • Improved school climate

Cite peer-reviewed journal articles here.

Slide 11: Concrete Recommendations for the Board

Be specific:

  • Professional development on trauma-informed care

  • Restorative practice training

  • School-wide SEL integration

  • Revision of discipline policies

  • Hiring school counselors or social workers

Boards appreciate actionable steps.

Slide 12: Cost vs. Long-Term Impact

Briefly explain:

  • Prevention reduces long-term costs

  • Lower dropout rates

  • Improved graduation rates

Speak in systems language.

Slide 13: Conclusion

Reinforce:

  • Trauma is prevalent.

  • Punitive discipline is ineffective.

  • Trauma-informed classrooms improve outcomes.

  • This approach supports both students and teachers.

End strong and hopeful.

Slide 14–15: References

Minimum 5 scholarly sources.

Possible research sources:

Use APA format.

STEP 3: Writing Your Voiceover Script

Write your script separately before recording.

10 minutes = about 1,200–1,500 words total.

Tips:

  • Do not read directly from slides.

  • Slides = bullet points.

  • Voiceover = explanation and persuasion.

Maintain either:

  • First person (“I propose…”)
    OR

  • Third person (“This presentation proposes…”)

Do not switch between them.

STEP 4: Use Scholarly Sources Strategically

You need at least five scholarly sources.

These can include:

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles

  • Government research reports

  • Academic books

Avoid blogs or opinion websites.

In slides:

  • Include in-text citations (Author, Year).

In reference slide:

  • Full APA citation.

STEP 5: Make It Persuasive

Remember:
You are advocating change.

Strong persuasive strategies:

  • Use data

  • Use research

  • Acknowledge concerns

  • Provide solutions

  • Avoid blaming language

Focus on:
Student success + district improvement.

STEP 6: Technical Tips

  • Keep slides visually clean.

  • Use consistent fonts.

  • Limit text to 5–7 bullet points per slide.

  • Practice recording once before final submission.

  • Stay under 10 minutes.

Final Checklist Before Submitting

✔ 10–15 slides
✔ Title, conclusion, references included
✔ 5+ scholarly sources
✔ Clear voiceover under 10 minutes
✔ Analysis of traditional discipline
✔ Concrete board recommendations
✔ Professional tone throughout

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