Modules and Descriptions

TIPP 0 - Trauma Basics

Before exploring the ten pillars in the TIPPS framework, it is crucial to understand the terminology of trauma and trauma-informed practice as discussed in educational settings. The “Trauma Basics” module contains five sections that orient learners to TIPPS: The Nature of Trauma, Negative Impacts of Trauma, Trauma and Student Populations, Teacher Interventions in a Trauma-Informed Practice, and Educator Self-Care. After completing this module, learners will have a foundational understanding of trauma.

TIPP 1 - Ensure All School Community Members Feel Safe, Respected, and Valued

To create and sustain a trauma-informed school environment, all members of the school community must feel safe, respected and valued. The module for TIPP 1, "Ensure All School Community Members Feel Safe, Respected, and Valued," covers five topics: Creating a Safe Environment, Psychological Safety in Schools, a Trauma-Informed Approach to Bullying, Psychological Safety: Creating a Protective Barrier in a Trauma-Informed Classroom, and Student Safety: Beyond the School. After completing the TIPP 1 module, learners will be prepared to create an environment where all members of the school community can feel safe, respected, and valued.

TIPP 2 - Increase Awareness of the Signs and Symptoms of Trauma

To shift toward a trauma-informed culture, it is important to understand how trauma is expressed in schools. The module for TIPP 2, "Increase Awareness of the Signs and Symptoms of Trauma," features three sections to build our understanding of trauma and how school communities are affected by it: Increasing Awareness of Trauma, Signs and Symptoms of Trauma, and Tools for Assessing Students for Trauma. This module builds on some of the concepts covered in the “Trauma Basics” module. After completing the TIPP 2 module, learners will be able to identify behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical signs and symptoms of trauma.

TIPP 3 - Increase Awareness of Biases and Stereotypes

Biases and stereotypes in the school environment can negatively impact students, especially students with marginalized identities. The module for TIPP 3, “Increase Awareness of Biases and Stereotypes,” contains four sections: Awareness of Bias and Stereotypes, Harmful Effects of Bias and Stereotypes, Adjusting Practice to Address Bias and Stereotypes, and Racial Equity-Oriented Social-Emotional Learning. After completing the TIPP 3 module, learners will understand the importance of being aware of biases and know how to uncover and address their biases. 

TIPP 4 - Build Community

In a trauma-informed school environment, students need to feel that they can trust the staff and systems that work to support them and the challenges they face. Students who feel like they belong and connect well with others in school are more likely to succeed. In the TIPP 4 module, “Build Community,” learners will explore how school communities thrive when all community voices are included, valued and centered. This module includes two sections: Characteristics of a Strong Community and Community Building Activities. After completing the TIPP 4 module, learners will understand the importance of a strong school community and strategies that can be used to build a strong school community.

TIPP 5 - Develop and Model Positive Relationships

Modeling and building warm, trusting, and positive relationships can help students feel safe, supported, and valued. In the module for TIPP 5, “Develop and Model Positive Relationships,” learners will look at how to build strong connections with students, especially those who have experienced trauma, and others in the school community. After completing the TIPP 5 module, learners will be familiar with evidence-based strategies to create and sustain positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

TIPP 6 - Reduce Punitive Discipline

Punitive disciplinary practices can erode trust between students and school professionals and reduce students’ sense of connection to the school community. The module for TIPP 6, “Reduce Punitive Discipline,” has two sections: Harms of Punitive Discipline and School Professional Adjustments to Positive Discipline and Restorative Practices. After completing the TIPP 6 module, learners will understand the harms of punitive discipline and consider alternative practices that will empower students to learn from their behavior.  

TIPP 7 - Communicate and Reinforce Goals and Expectations

Setting high yet achievable goals and expectations for students motivates their performance and builds self-efficacy. The TIPP 7 module, “Communicate and Reinforce Goals and Expectations,” has two sections: Goals and Expectations in a Trauma-Informed Practice and School Professional Strategies for Communicating Goals and Setting Expectations. After completing the TIPP 7 module, learners will understand why communicating and reinforcing goals and expectations is important when working with students and how school professionals can motivate students to work towards these goals. 

TIPP 8 - Avoid Deficit Thinking and Deficit Language

Deficit thinking and deficit language often causes school professionals to view challenges as failures of individual students rather than systemic problems. In the TIPP 8 module, “Avoid Deficit Thinking and Deficit Language,” learners will explore how they can shift away from a deficit framework to a strength-based framework. After completing the TIPP 8 module, learners will be prepared to reframe their thinking and language to better support students’ potential.

TIPP 9 - Incorporate Social-Emotional Skills and Positive Coping

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical to strengthen students’ academic performance, improve school climate, and reduce problematic behaviors. Module 9, “Incorporate Social-Emotional Skills and Positive Coping,” features five sections: The Nature of Social Emotional Learning, Emotions and Coping, Implementing SEL, School Professional Strategies for Implementing SEL and lastly, SEL and the School Professional. The module for TIPP 9 explores the five components of the CASEL framework and prepares learners with strategies to enhance SEL for both students and school professionals. After completing the TIPP 9 module, learners will be able to connect the instruction of SEL to trauma-informed practices in schools.

TIPP 10 - Create a Support System to Address Emergent Needs

Students must have their basic needs met in order to effectively learn. Needs that emerge during the school year (e.g., food insecurity) can hinder student learning and participation. The module for TIPP 10, “Create a Support System to Address Emergent Needs,” discusses how school professionals can ensure students' emergent needs are met. After completing the TIPP 10 module, learners will be equipped with strategies to recognize students’ emergent needs and partner with community providers to address these needs.