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Creating A Positive Classroom Environment: A Case Study Of Elementary Teachers’ Reflections On The Work Of Building Student Relationships, Lisa Strader

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests roughly one in four children experience one or more instances of trauma, or adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), before they turn 18; this has been associated with difficulty in behavior and academic performance within the classroom. Without intervention, the negative outcomes associated with ACEs such as higher risk of suicide, homelessness, and unemployment, may continue to impact these children through adulthood. This case study explores teachers’ reflection on the strategies they use to foster a positive classroom environment, in particular how they build relationships with students experiencing various types of trauma. Building relationships is particularly important as an instructional …