Date of Award
7-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Sherrie Wisdom
Second Advisor
Nathan Wisdom
Third Advisor
Linda Kessler
Abstract
This research was an exploration of the impact of community trauma in urban communities. The focal participants were educators who have worked 10 or more years in the profession and in a school building. The study surveyed 20 educators using open-ended questions to understand their experiences with trauma, strategies for coping, and the effects on their personal and professional lives. Community trauma, including gun violence, mass and school shootings, homelessness, educational neglect, was common among participants. Notably, traumatic events such as the deaths of Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Trayvon Martin, and the COVID-19 pandemic, had significant emotional personal and professional impacts. Educators in urban settings reported higher exposure to these events. Educators disclosed using various methods to manage their emotions, including prayer, self-reflection, mindfulness, and professional counseling. While other participants alluded to leaving or wanting to leave the profession, associated with the increased levels of trauma in the community, the school. There was a significant reliance on faith-based practices for emotional support and social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies were commonly used to support students, although the study revealed a gap in trauma-informed practices. It was also found that trauma affected educators' experienced concerns of safety, hopelessness, and high stress levels. Some felt less hopeful and more fearful, while others found strength and resilience. The research highlighted the importance of addressing educators' well-being to improve their professional efficacy. The study suggests improving training in the areas of trauma-informed practices and social and emotional learning for all stakeholders. It also recommends future research with more detailed and structured survey questions, personal interviews, and community-engaged research methods to better capture the nuanced experiences of educators. Overall, the research underscores the complex ways community trauma affects educators and the need for systemic support and resources to help them navigate these challenges effectively.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Angelique, "The Impact of Trauma in Urban Communities on Educators and How They Prevail" (2024). Dissertations. 778.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/dissertations/778