Navigating the Unexpected: A School Leader’s Guide for Trauma-Response Teams

Nearly two-thirds of students show symptoms of traumatic stress. It’s imperative that every school is equipped to take a proactive approach and thoughtfully respond to trauma and high-stress events and situations such as chronic illness, physical assault, neglect, unexpected family crises, and other adverse childhood experiences. This book serves as a quick-reference guide for school and district leaders in designing their own Dynamic Problem-Solving Team (DPST).Throughout the book, readers will find identified systems that allow the DPST to navigate traumatic situations with structured flexibility.




This book will help principals, teacher leaders, and district

Assess the efficacy of current systems and protocols in response to a traumatic or unexpected event
Develop a Dynamic Problem-Solving Team (DPST) equipped to navigate traumatic situations with structured flexibility
Establish a system of communication to inform and empower students, staff, and the community at large
Design goals, action items, and monitoring protocols to meet students’ physical, academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs
Provide templates, assessments, and other tools that will support a planned, systematic, and fully customizable response



It’s Not a Matter of If; It’s a Matter of When

Chapter 1: Getting It Right the First Time

Chapter 2: Leading and Forming the Dynamic Problem-Solving Team

Chapter 3: Preparing to Do the Work

Chapter 4: Building a Firm Foundation

Chapter 5: Creating a Plan Through the Lens of the Instructional Cycle

Chapter 6: Assessing Sustainability and Support

Lessons Learned

References and Resources

Index