The "Educators for Advocacy" Professional development
Educators for Advocacy is a trauma-informed professional development program designed to equip teachers, school leaders, and youth-serving professionals with the tools and strategies to support students’ social-emotional well-being, improve school climate, and create inclusive learning environments. Developed by Youth Advocates for Change, this program is rooted in the understanding that students labeled as ‘distracted’ or ‘disengaged’ often experience trauma, undiagnosed neurodiversities, or systemic barriers—and that traditional punitive measures like suspensions fail to address the root causes of their struggles.
What Does the Program Offer?
This program helps educators shift their approach from behavior management to student empowerment by integrating trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and neurodiversity-affirming practices into their classrooms and schools.'
Key Components of the Program:
- Trauma-Informed Teaching & Nervous System Regulation – Learn strategies to recognize trauma responses, de-escalate conflicts, and foster a sense of safety and belonging.
- Culturally Relevant & Inclusive Practices – Address the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students, ensuring that learning environments affirm their identities.
- Destigmatizing Neurodivergence in the Classroom – Understand the impact of ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences, and develop alternative approaches to support student engagement.
- Building a Positive School Climate – Create spaces where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to advocate for their own learning needs.
How It Works:
- The Educators for Advocacy program is structured into five phases:
Baseline Survey – Assessing school climate and key challenges through educator, student, and parent surveys. - Program Development with Student Interns – We provide a paid opportunity for your students to intern with Youth Advocates for Change and help co-create a tailored curriculum using real data from students’ lived experiences. (Usually 1-3 students)
- Professional Development Workshop – Interactive sessions for educators on trauma-informed practices, classroom regulation techniques, and culturally responsive teaching held by the Youth Advocates for Change team and interns.
- Endline Survey & Impact Evaluation – We measuring changes in educator mindsets, student engagement, and overall school climate by evaluating survey data and sharing it with administration and educators.
Why It Matters
✔ Supports teachers’ well-being – Addresses educator burnout and provides self-regulation strategies.
✔ Improves student engagement – Shifts from punitive discipline to restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
✔ Centers student voice – Empowers young people to be co-creators in shaping an inclusive school culture.
Through Educators for Advocacy, we are not just training teachers—we are transforming classrooms into spaces of healing, empowerment, and belonging.