Virtual Training
Trauma and Learning: Using Movement to Support Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences
A 6-part online course exploring the background on ACEs and toxic stress, brain research, the damaging consequences for students with ACES, the appropriate role of the educator, and innovative strategies to calm students and help them learn, facilitated by Math & Movement Founder, Suzy Koontz.
Upcoming course dates TBD
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Target Audience: Educators of students in PreK through fifth grade who are curious about ACEs and the ways movement-based learning can be used to increase learning.
Please note: this is an introduction to ACEs and trauma-based learning. If you have had detailed training in ACEs, this course may not provide new information for you.
A landmark study by Felitti and Anda found that 67% of the US population has one or more ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience).
The likelihood that one of your students will have one or more ACEs is high.
The difficult truth is that students with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) usually find traditional learning environments unsuitable for their needs.Â
If you are interested in trauma-informed teaching…
If you are looking for teaching strategies that help students overcome learning barriers…Â
If you want strategies that promote students’ feeling safe, appreciated, loved, and valued…
If you want to learn practical techniques and strategies that will provide encouragement and hope for the many students with ACEs…
This training is for you.
Why We Created This Course
About 6 years ago, I became trauma-informed. I learned about ACEs and that when children experience ACES, it can be detrimental to their health and can inhibit their learning. I also learned that movement and physical activity can help students struggling with the ill effects of ACEs.Â
When educators become trauma-informed, it can be one of those lightbulb moments. After learning about trauma, educators gain insight into trauma and toxic stress and how these can impact the lives of their students.Â
This training offers solutions. We know that trauma can be horrific for children. There is hope offered in this training because there are many strategies that can be used to support students who have experienced trauma.
– Suzy
COURSE OVERVIEW
Trauma & Learning is a 6-part LIVE online training
If you cannot attend all of the sessions at the designated time, recordings will be available on our course portal.
Homework will be given after each session to consist of the other 4 hours of professional development. Homeworks range from watching TedTalks to creating practical, movement-based plans you can use in your own classroom. All homeworks will also be found on the course portal.
Session 1
Trauma and Its Effect on Students
During our first session together, we’ll lay down a foundation to better understand Adverse Childhood Experiences. We’ll explore:
- What do we mean when we say ‘trauma’?
- What are ACEs?
- Effects of ACEs and trauma
- Signs/symptoms of ACEs
- How PTSD creates differences in the brain
DATE AND TIME TBD
Session 2
How Toxic Stress Damages the Brain
We’ll begin our second session with a review of the Paper Tigers documentary – our homework from the first session. We’ll then move on to discuss:
- Types of Stress
- How Toxic Stress Damages the Brain
- Relationships
- Prescriptions for ACEs
- Resilience
DATE AND TIME TBD
Session 3
How and Why Kinesthetic Learning Benefits All Students
Our third session will focus on one of Suzy’s favorite topics – kinesthetic learning and how it can be especially helpful for students with ACEs. We’ll explore:
- What is Kinesthetic Learning?
- The Research Behind Kinesthetic Learning
- Why Kinesthetic Learning Benefits ALL Students
DATE AND TIME TBD
Session 4
The Role of the Educator in Supporting Students with ACEs
This session covers trauma-informed strategies and ideas for your own classroom or school. We’ll discuss:Â
- The Trauma-Informed School ModelÂ
- Mindset Matters: Studies on Math Anxiety
- Shifting the Student’s Mindset with Positive Affirmations
- Trauma-Informed Education: An Educator’s Role
DATE AND TIME TBD
Session 5
Literacy: Practical Strategies to Counteract the Ill-Effects of ACEs and Toxic Stress
Our fifth session will focus on strategies for building reading fluency. We’ll explore:Â
- How Trauma Can Affect Reading Ability
- Innovative Reading Programs
- How Movement Can Support Students with ACEs
- Literacy Benchmarks, Connections To Brain Science, and Practical Strategies
- Discussion: What Innovative Strategies Have You Implemented to Increase Practice Time?
DATE AND TIME TBD
Session 6
Math: Practical Techniques to Attenuate the Damage of ACEs and Toxic Stress
Our last session will cover strategies for boosting math abilities and outcomes. We’ll talk about:
- How Movement Can Support Students with ACEs
- Math Benchmarks, Connections To Brain Science, and Practical Strategies
- Final Questions about the Course
DATE AND TIME TBD
What This Training Includes
A Seconds Floor Mat
(a surprise mat to use in your school/classroom!)
The Math & Movement Training Manual
ebook by Suzy Koontz
10 Hours of Professional Development
(certificate provided after course)
Meet the Presenter,
Suzy Koontz
Suzy Koontz is the Founder and CEO of Math & Movement. She is an actuary, an educational consultant, a math teacher, and the creator of over 150 kinesthetic teaching tools. As the author of over 15 books, Suzy’s passion is helping students recognize their ability to learn and helping them lead healthier lives while achieving academic success. Suzy’s mission is for ALL students to be on grade level in math and reading.Â
Earn Professional Development Credit
Math & Movement trainings are approved for CTLE (New York State Education Department) and CPE (Texas Education Ageny) credit. If you would like more information regarding credit for your state, please contact us at info@mathandmovment.com. Â
Course Pricing
Purchase Orders are accepted at checkout! Contact us for larger group rates and offers.Â
Single rate
1 Attendee-
Each attendee will receive the Math & Movement Training Manual ebook and a surprise seconds floor mat.
Group offer
3 + Attendees-
Each attendee will receive the Math & Movement Training Manual ebook and a surprise seconds floor mat.
Frequently Asked Questions
 Educators of students in PreK through fifth grade who are curious about ACEs and the ways movement-based learning can be used to increase learning.
Please note: this is an introduction to ACEs and trauma-based learning. If you have had detailed training in ACEs, this course may not provide new information for you.
Yes, this training is 100% online. Here’s how it works:
- When you register, you’ll get instant access to your course portal which is where you can download your ebooks and see course instructions.
- All live training sessions will be through Zoom. You can watch and interact on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- All sessions will available for replay after the session on your course portal.
- Homeworks will be linked on your course portal after each session. These are primarily extra videos to watch and reflect on. These will contribute to the 10 total PD hours.
This training consists of 6 live group gatherings.
Homework will be given after each session to consist of the other 4 hours of professional development. (= 10 total PD hours) Homeworks range from watching TedTalks to creating practical, movement-based plans you can use in your own classroom.Â
Upcoming course dates are:Â August 9th – 25rd
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-11am Eastern
Yes! After the sessions have concluded and proof of homeworks has been submitted, you will receive a certificate for 10 hours of PD that you can submit to your district for approval.
All of our sessions will take place through Zoom. You are not required to turn on your webcam and microphone during the sessions. However, we have found attendees get more out of the training when they engage with each other and a dialogue opens.
We recommend installing Zoom on your device before the sessions begin. A call-in number will also be provided.
Your course portal is web-based and can be accessed through any internet browser. We will share instructions on accessing the course portal before the course begins. The course portal is where you will find course instructions, session recordings, and homeworks.
The course materials and recordings are for your use only. We ask that you do not share them with anyone who has not enrolled in the course.
Yes, all sessions will be recorded and uploaded to your course portal within 24-48 hours of the live session. We highly encourage you to attend live so you can interact with your fellow educators and Suzy, but you can participate via the recordings if that works best for you. You will still receive all PD hours if you watch the recordings.
A ‘seconds material’ means the mat may have a few printer marks but still works the same! After you register for the course, we will mail you a surprise seconds material!Â
Scholarships are not available at this time. If you have any questions about pricing options, please contact us.
Our refund policy for this course is as follows:
- Request for cancellation of enrollment from the course prior to the course commencement date will receive a full refund.
- No refunds will be granted once the course live Zoom sessions have commenced.
What People Are Saying
View more trainings on our full event calendar.Â
