Trauma-Responsive Classroom Practices

Resilient Oakland Communities and Kids (ROCK) strengthens early childhood learning by equipping educators with trauma-responsive, resilience-building practices that improve student experiences and educator well-being. 
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​Since 2017, ROCK has supported Oakland educators through training, coaching, and professional learning communities grounded in evidence-based trauma-informed practices.
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Photo courtesy of TalkOakland.org
​ROCK Impact at a Glance
  • Over 400 early learning educators have participated in the ROCK initiative, impacting over 2,900 children
  • Educator practice change: widespread use of trauma-responsive strategies reported among participating educators
  • Educator mindset shift: PLC participants report more positive beliefs about students, their jobs, and themselves
  • Sustained professional learning: Ongoing coaching and PLC model supports deeper implementation beyond one-time training
  • Systems alignment: partnerships across OUSD, Head Start, family child care providers, and other early childhood educators strengthen consistency of practice citywide
What ROCK Provides 
  • Training
  • In person and virtual sessions on trauma-responsive practice
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • Peer-based learning for deeper application
  • Resulting in stronger educator beliefs and outcomes
  • Coaching
  • On-site or embedded support to translate training into practice
  • Educator Well-Being
  • Self-care practices, including mindfulness and yoga
Grounded in Research 
  • ​​Trauma-informed practices improve children’s social-emotional development and readiness to learn, especially for those exposed to adversity
  • Adult self-awareness and regulation are key drivers of classroom climate and child outcomes
  • ROCK aligns with emerging research on healing-centered and resilience-based approaches, and is based on evidence-based Trauma Informed Practices for children, adults and systems as organized in Trauma Informed Practices for Early Childhood Educators (Nicholson et al, 2023).
Why It Matters
  • ​0-5 is a critical window for brain development, and trauma can disrupt learning and behavior. Supporting educators with trauma-responsive practices helps:
  • Strengthen relationships between children and adults
  • Support children’s emotional regulation and learning readiness
  • Improve classroom climate
Partnerships 
ROCK lifts up the collective skills, knowledge and cultural assets of individuals and agencies within Oakland as critical expertise. Partners have included Oakland Unified School District, City of Oakland Head Start/Early Head Start, New Teacher Center, Early Learning Lab and childhood social emotional and/or trauma informed practices experts including, Dr. Julie Nicholson, Julie Kurtz (Center for Optimal Brain Integration), Dr. LaWanda Wesley, Dr. Drew Giles, Melissa Luc, Alisa Burton, and Crystal McClendon-Gourdine.
Many of the photos on this site appear courtesy of Hasain Rasheed Photography