Overview
Trauma-Informed Social Learning Course
Learn How Trauma Impacts Learning and Behavior
The Trauma-Informed Social Learning Course focuses on defining, identifying, and understanding children’s developmental experiences—such as early adversity or autism—that negatively impact typical social development. Our goal is to help teachers and programs protect vulnerable learners and provide the knowledge and support needed for robust instruction in social-emotional learning.
Who is this course for?
This course is for teachers, special educators, service providers, and administrators.
Course description
In the past, social cognitive challenges were commonly thought of as being limited to people with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities. That is no longer the case. A closer look at influences on social cognitive development opens up several possible reasons: the impact of increased screen technology usage (Lissak, 2018), a rise in the prevalence of autism (Baio et al., 2018), steeply rising opiate addiction rates (Ghertner & Groves 2018), and the significant impact of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on the well-being of children (Johnson, Riis, & Noble, 2016).
Research supports the link between social learning skills and academic success. Durlak et al. (2011) showed that achievement test scores for participants in social emotional learning programs were 11 percent higher than for other students, yet teachers and staff are often underprepared and untrained to provide explicit instruction in social learning.
The course is arranged thematically:
- Module 1: Models and Frameworks for Social Emotional Learning
- Module 2: Unique Thinkers
- Module 3: Social Emotional Learning Strategies and Implementation
- Module 4: Assessments, Behavior and Social Cognition
Participants will develop working understandings of:
- Research and the development of different models and frameworks that can be used for social-emotional learning instruction.
- The potential impacts of early adversity and autism spectrum disorders, focusing on learning, behavior, and child development.
- Strategies and methods for providing effective social-emotional learning instruction to students, and 4) assessment practices for social learning and behavior.
The primary objective is to help teachers and leaders develop a trauma- and autism-informed practice for teaching social-emotional learning in schools. Participants will integrate emerging findings from psychology and brain research showing the impacts of autism and trauma on learning and behavior.
Course Expectations:
All participants (regardless of taking the class for graduate credit) will.
- Purchase the required materials for this course.
- Attending all class meetings live for their full duration.
Required Materials:
Erdelyi, J. (2020), Activities, Games, and Lessons in Social Learning A Practical Guide; Thousand Oaks, CA Corwin Publishing
Sporleder, J., & Forbes, H. T. (2016). The Trauma-Informed School. Boulder, CO: Beyond Consequences Institute.
Participants taking the course for graduate credit must complete additional readings and assignments, which will be provided digitally before the course.
NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
45 hours
Dates
2025 dates TBD
Time
9:00 AM–4:00 PM ET
Course Number(s)
1478
Location and Format
Cost
$1,200
When you register for the course, apply for grant funding—which can reduce tuition by 20%.
If you are interested in signing up for the course after registration is closed, or would like to get on a waiting list, please email proflearning@sterncenter.org.
Grade Level
Audience
Graduate Credit
Julie Erdelyi, M.A.
Director of Social Learning and Speech Therapy
What Teachers Have to Say
Meet the Instructor(s)
Julie Erdelyi, M.A.
Director of Social Learning and Speech Therapy
Julie provides consultation and instruction. She has a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Vermont and a Master’s degree in special education – developmental disabilities from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has extensive experience as a Special Educator and Autism Specialist designing and implementing academic instruction, proactive behavior […]
Supporting Teachers
Grants for Professional Learning
The Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence awards grants to individual educators and school cohorts seeking better outcomes for students through our programs. Learn more about Cynthia K. Hoehl, whose vision as an educator inspired a powerful legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What terms and conditions are there for professional learning registrations?
Please read the terms and conditions for our courses and workshops and contact us if you have any questions.
How do I register?
- If the course or workshop you’re interested in is on our website, please visit the course or workshop’s page and follow the link to access our online registration form. Complete the form by doing the following:
- Indicate whether you will pay with a credit card or a Purchase Order (PO).
- Fill out the participant information and workshop information sections.
- Read the Terms and Conditions and check the box to confirm your agreement.
- Click “Next”
- If you are paying with a PO:
- Please verify that your PO is complete.
- Upload the signed PO when prompted through the registration process. If you have questions please email: proflearning@sterncenter.org.
- Click “Next.”
- Your information will be sent to us to review. In 1–2 business days, we will confirm your registration by sending you an email with “Registration Confirmation” in the subject line.
- If you are paying with a credit card:
- Click “Continue.”
- On the Payment Method screen Click “Pay with Credit Card” to continue to Authorize.net.
- Enter your credit card information and click “Pay now” to complete your credit card transaction.
- Your information will be sent to us to review. In 1–2 business days, we will confirm your registration by sending you an email with “Registration Confirmation” in the subject line.
- If the course or workshop you’re interested in is not listed on our website, please contact us to learn more.
I’m considering taking a course for graduate credit. How long do I have to decide?
Graduate Credit Policy
Vermont State University (VtSU): If you are registering for a course that offers graduate credit from VTSU, you may add graduate credit up to and including the first day of class.
Graduate Credit Withdrawal Policy: For classes running consecutive days, participants who withdraw must decide by the end of the first day whether to request a graduate credit refund. To request a refund, email the Professional Learning Intake Coordinator at proflearning@sterncenter.org or by phone at 802-276-8684.
My school said they would register me. Do I need to do anything else?
Please confirm with your school that they have completed all the necessary steps to register you. Please do not plan to attend the class without verifying that you are registered, as we may be unable to accommodate you due to limited seating. If you are officially registered, you will receive a Registration Confirmation email. If you do not receive a Registration Confirmation email, please check with your school.
What is a purchase order or PO?
- A purchase order (PO) is a document from your school or district stating that they will pay a certain amount for you to attend a course or workshop. A PO allows us to invoice your school or district for your attendance.
- A PO might look something like this.
- A PO is not a number. Please supply the complete document to register, not just the PO number.
How do I register with a purchase order?
You’ll need to complete a purchase order (PO) before you register. Make sure your PO fulfills the following:
- The PO is issued to “Stern Center for Language and Learning.”
- The unit price is for the total cost (if your school or district pays for only part of the total cost, please email us at proflearning@sterncenter.org.
- The PO is signed by an authorized party at your school or district.
- Upload your PO as part of the registration process.
Can you invoice my school or district so they can make a PO?
Unfortunately no. We cannot submit invoices without first receiving a PO.
My school/district/I sent you a PO. Why am I not registered?
Ensure you have also completed and submitted a registration form and your PO. Without both documents, we cannot register you.
Make sure you sent us a copy of the PO itself and not just a PO number or a letter of intent from your school or district. We cannot invoice either of these items without the PO document itself.
Please get in touch with us if you haven’t received confirmation of your registration 1–2 business days after you submitted a completed PO and the registration information form. We may have missed one of these documents and would appreciate your letting us know to look for them.
My school or district won’t cover the total cost of a course or workshop. How can I complete my registration?
If your school or district is paying for only part of the total cost, please get in touch with us by calling 802-276-8684 or emailing proflearning@sterncenter.org. To complete your registration, you must send the remaining balance by check or credit card payment.
How do I pay for graduate credit?
Please make all payments to the Stern Center for Language and Learning. We’ll handle the rest!
If you are worried about the course or workshop filling up, you can pay with a credit card or check while you wait for your PO to be completed. Please check with your school or district before doing this to make sure you can be reimbursed when the PO is completed.
If paying for the course out-of-pocket isn’t an option for you, please get in touch with us.
My school or district is still working on my PO. Can I still register?
We’re sorry, but we cannot accept registrations without proof or payment or proof of intent to pay (such as a completed PO).
Can I still take a course if I need to miss one or more days?
All participants must be prepared for and attend every class and be ready to participate as required by the instructor.
If that is not possible for you, please get in touch with us before registering. You may still be able to take the course in some instances, but such decisions are at the course instructor’s discretion. Please refer to our Attendance & Participation Policy.
Can I audit a course or workshop?
Auditing our public offerings is not available. All attendees must register, pay tuition, and follow the attendance and participation policy.
Do I need to register with Wilson® after I enroll in the course or workshop with the Stern Center?
If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, access additional resources, and register for graduate credit (when available), you will need to pre-register with Wilson. These resources and materials are only available through Wilson.
Our Reach by the Numbers
1,800+
Teachers Served This Year
When a teacher takes one of our courses, the positive impact ripples beyond one life, spreading through an entire classroom, school, and community.
Our Reach by the Numbers
10,901+
Student Services Hours This Year
We offer one-on-one teaching that transforms lives, lifts up voices, and inspires learners to bring forth their unique gifts to a world that awaits them.
Our Reach by the Numbers
415+
Schools Served This Year
We celebrate the dedication of our school partners and share their commitment to a brighter future for all learners.
Our Reach by the Numbers
39
States and Counting
We’re a national leader in language and literacy. Our impact currently extends across 39 states and several countries through the thousands of educators we reach and students we serve.
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Course & Registration FAQs
Do you have questions about course registration, credits, grants, or anything else? Find your answers here!
Get in Touch!
For questions about courses and workshops, email proflearning@sterncenter.org, call 802-878-2332, or fill out the form below.
