Speaking at the African Education Festival Kigali!
When I first embarked on my career as a therapist, I never imagined it would one day lead me to a speak in Kigali, Rwanda, speaking to educators from across Africa. Yet here I am, preparing to present a workshop titled Trauma-Informed Teaching at the International Baccalaureate (IB) African Education Festival on February 14, 2025. This opportunity feels both humbling and deeply aligned with my mission: to empower educators to see and support the whole child in their classrooms.
Why Trauma-Informed Teaching?
Teaching is a vocation that often goes beyond curriculum delivery. Educators are on the frontlines of nurturing children who arrive at school carrying more than just their backpacks. Some bring with them experiences of trauma—whether it stems from personal loss, conflict, displacement, or systemic inequities. These experiences can impact how they learn, connect, and thrive in the classroom.
Trauma-informed teaching recognizes this reality and equips educators with strategies to create supportive, responsive, and healing-centered environments. It’s about fostering safety—physical, emotional, and relational—so that every student feels seen and valued. When we do this, we not only support children’s ability to learn but also help them build resilience for life.
The IB African Education Festival
When I was invited to speak, my first reaction was a mix of excitement and imposter syndrome (yes, therapists feel that too). But as I began reflecting on the journey that brought me here, I realized how much this topic has shaped my professional life.
What to Expect in the Workshop
My workshop will explore key principles of trauma-informed teaching, including:
Recognizing the Signs of Trauma: Understanding how trauma can manifest in students’ behavior, engagement, and relationships.
Building Safe and Predictable Environments: Practical strategies for creating classrooms that foster trust and emotional safety.
Cultivating Emotional Resilience: Helping educators balance compassion for their students with self-care practices to prevent burnout.
Embedding Equity in Trauma-Informed Practices: Ensuring that our approaches are inclusive and culturally sensitive, recognizing that trauma is often compounded by systemic inequities.
Through interactive discussions and real-life case studies, my goal is to equip educators with tools they can immediately implement in their classrooms. But more than that, I hope to ignite a sense of possibility—because every teacher who adopts trauma-informed practices becomes a ripple in the pond of educational transformation.
Why Kigali? Why Now?
Rwanda’s story of resilience and rebuilding after the genocide is one of the most profound examples of collective healing in recent history. The country’s emphasis on reconciliation, education, and innovation provides an inspiring backdrop for this conversation. It’s a reminder that, as difficult as trauma can be, recovery and growth are always possible.
Looking Ahead
As I prepare for the African Education Festival, I’m filled with gratitude for the educators who show up every day for their students, often in ways that go unseen. Trauma-informed teaching isn’t just a methodology; it’s a mindset. It’s about believing in the potential of every child—and in our own ability to make a difference.
If you’re attending the IB African Education Festival, I can’t wait to connect with you. And if you’re not, I’ll be sharing highlights and insights from the workshop on my blog and social media. Let’s continue this important conversation together.
Here’s to teaching with heart, leading with compassion, and creating classrooms where all children can thrive.
