iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Excited to be working on a new training that's all about how nature can be regulating for students and staff. There are so many ways to incorporate nature at school!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Coregulation's power is in its repeated use. Coregulating once or even a few times with a learner doesn't mean they won't require it again. Meeting humans where they are, believing them about their distress, and giving support is something we all need. Learners who are traumatized need it even more.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Not letting AI annihilate our species is suicide prevention. It's also trauma-informed.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

If you're back-to-school soon, soak up all those feels in the first days. Be real about your own emotions and be present with kids, too. What a special thing is to build community with a group of humans who will learn and grow together. I'd love to hear something from your first day! #EduSky

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Every learner and educator at school needs oodles of daily connection that's not rooted in compliance. "Good morning"s "good to see you"s, and "I missed you over the break," matter! Meaningful dialogue is important too.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Working on a new training for paraeducators. Participants will be practicing ten skills to prevent and address challenging behavior—all from a relationships-first perspective! Message or email me if your staff would benefit from this!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

As much as I value trauma-sensitive practice, there is a time and place to say, "Stop doing that."

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

It's okay if you're feeling like a summer sloth, educators. I've got just one suggestion for you this month. Click the link to read my newest Substack! open.substack.com/pub/msjenale...

open.substack.com

When You Feel Like a Summer Sloth

You deserve compassionate care

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Reading "trauma is not sacred" by @razorfemme.bsky.social. "if i told you my story, would you swallow it whole." Humans consume one another's suffering without seeing their fellow being. Or, themselves. It's people who matter. Let's be responsive to humans; not trauma. onbeing.org/poetry/traum...

onbeing.org

trauma is not sacred

A poem by Kai Cheng Thom.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Having a new puppy brings all the feels!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

You made it to summer! :-) When you’re ready for an editable action plan related to school safety and your school culture goal, I've prepared a trauma-sensitive one for you in this month's Substack. It will help your teams decrease yelling. Read and save! open.substack.com/pub/msjenale...

open.substack.com

A Goal-Setting Idea for Next Year

Every school's got harm—let's work on it

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I've never liked it when educators report on a student's behavior by saying that "we" had a rough day. "We" didn't dysregulate and engage in concerning behavior (at least I hope not) so please don't say "we" did the thing. Sorting out what's me vs. you matters with kids. More tips coming! #EduSky

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Excellent explanation of trauma with powerful art by @aubreyhirsch.bsky.social. Thanks @asv.bsky.social for posting.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

If you lead formally or informally and feel concerned about educators who dysregulate in response to challenging behavior, I have a practical 3-hour, virtual training you can register for in July! Hint: None of my ideas involve becoming a colleague's therapist! www.eventbrite.com/e/everything...

eventbrite.com

Everything I Didn’t Learn in Grad. School for Today’s Challenging Behavior

Educators can make student dysregulation worse instead of better. Learn practical, trauma-sensitive strategies to support staff regulation.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

My Substack this month acknowledges that as adults we sometimes make things worse for kids at school. I've got a tip for you after that happens. And more! #EduSky msjenalexander.substack.com/p/lil-things...

msjenalexander.substack.com

Li'l Things for May

Lean into the li'l stuff as the end of the year brings change!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Trauma-sensitive education isn't only for children; it's for families too. I wrote about ten tips for early childhood educators over at the ZERO TO THREE blog! www.zerotothree.org/journal/hope...

zerotothree.org

Stoking Hope in Early Childhood Education: Ten Trauma-Sensitive Tips for Supporting Families

Trauma-informed early childhood education must support and empower primary caregivers so families and children can truly thrive.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

We are having beautiful weather in Iowa, and I'm over the moon that I'm picking out flowers for my outdoor spaces tomorrow!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Ready and excited to be in classrooms side-by-side with teachers this week for trauma-sensitive coaching. Can't wait for these conservations!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Loving being invited to work more with mental health professionals on ensuring family caregivers receive trauma-sensitive care—not just youth! Here's an idea: Don't assume you are the first provider to work with a family unless they say that. Ask, "What makes things worse?" And, try not to do that.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

We've got women sending another woman safely 'round the moon, which is really something. Meanwhile, I'm over here wondering if this is a week when I'll need duct tape on my skin to keep my HRT patch on—or not—since health insurance is legally killing us all.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Join me next month at the Spring IA Play Therapy Association Conf. on 4/17/26! My 3-hour keynote will teach you how to support youth in better understanding their attachment needs in relationships and build their skills for understanding others too. Register today! iowaa4pt.org/annual-sprin...

iowaa4pt.org

IAPT Spring Conference – Iowa Association for Play Therapy

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

You know you're in rural Iowa when driving halfway across the state before a blizzard day in a spontaneous moment of self-care to pick-up a shelf you'll redo. The vintage piece cost less than the gas to get there, and the seller gave me landmarks about where to meet instead of an address. Love it!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Trauma-informed practice isn't just for youth. It's for families too. Parents who care about their kids are supposed to be dysregulated when loved ones aren't okay, especially if their children are unsafe. Please acknowledge these grounded-in-reality fears and offer support instead of judging folks.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

Presenting tomorrow at 1:45 Eastern at @attachtraumanetwork's 2026 conference. My session is Are You Ready For It? Structuring Classrooms to Prevent Big Behavior. Our power to stop nervous system overwhelm is before it happens. Learn all about how to do that with youth of all ages in my session!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

We don't provide enough opportunities for teachers to share their questions, curiosities, anxieties, fears, regrets, and wonderings about how we do this important work. Moments matter. Sharing them in a safe space matters too.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

Let's stop playing hangman at school, please. The game is rooted in violence and murder. What's your favorite word-game alternative? Also, ICE doesn't belong in our communities or schools either.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Educators who support ICE aren't safe for any of our children.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Trauma-informed mental health professional and educator here. Letting you know that as people experiencing or witnessing the harm being unleashed on both children and adults, our bodies' don't need grounding, gentle movement, or a release of stress-induced energy as much as we need the harm to stop.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

My January Substack gives you PD suggestions and sends you to this month's blog post about anger. Learn what anger is, why so many folks are feeling it right now, and what you can do as an educator to honor anger and the needs that go with it. Here's the link! open.substack.com/pub/msjenale...

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

One of my favorite things to do is stroll into an independent bookstore and listen to one of the booksellers give book recommendations to strangers! Also fun when it’s me, but either way, it’s a love language!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Reading Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Nobody's Girl. It's gut-wrenching and leaves me feeling an extreme tussle between sitting with her story and the beautiful, painful way she's telling it—wishing to honor her. And... Holding space for how many other children and adults carry stories of their own.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Last day to enter to win a great education book by donating to your local food shelf!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

When health insurance companies take in billions each year by denying necessary care and then publicly make small-to-them donations of food or supplies to the same communities they're harming, we're being played. They get more palatable social media posts + huge profits while people suffer and die.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Sad we need this and happy to put BUILDING TRAUMA-SENSITIVE SCHOOLS and DISRUPTING AND PREVENTING RACIAL TRAUMA USING UDL (co-authored with @fritztesha.bsky.social) with these great reads as prizes. Donate to your local food shelf. Then fill out the raffle form for a chance to win! #EduSky

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Trauma on repeat can lead to helplessness. Positive change is possible, though, and more important than ever. It's why @fritztesha.bsky.social and I wrote DISRUPTING AND PREVENTING RACIAL TRAUMA USING UDL. Read it for tips that can make schools safer. products.brookespublishing.com/Disrupting-a....

products.brookespublishing.com

Disrupting and Preventing Racial Trauma Using UDL

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Working on some do-it-yourself projects, and I'm reminded of how hands-on, multi-sensory experiences can be good for the nervous system. Using a nail pry bar adjacent to all the horrors in the nation is therapeutic too! Side note: Feeding one another shouldn't be controversial.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I'm presenting at Iowa Head Start's conference on Nov. 5, 2025. If you're concerned about big behavior in early childhood settings, we'll unpack what works and why! It's a hands-on, interactive day-long session. Leave with tools you can use right away. :-) www.iowaheadstart.org/events/

iowaheadstart.org

Trainings & Events - Iowa Head Start Association

See our upcoming training and events through Iowa Head Start Association.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

The year is rolling, and if you need to communicate with families about concerns or progress, I have trauma-sensitive tips to help you in this month's Substack! Please read and share. :-) msjenalexander.substack.com/p/trauma-sen...

msjenalexander.substack.com

Trauma-Sensitive Support for Families

You've asked for suggestions to help families, and I'm answering.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Telling the truth about injustice matters more than ever, and educators are worried about what they can and can't say at school. I've got trauma-sensitive tips, new check-ins that are easy to implement, and a free lesson plan too. Check it out! open.substack.com/pub/msjenale...

open.substack.com

Harm's Everywhere—What Can We Really Do?

For starters? Lead daily check-ins and make a classroom or schoolwide mural!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

There's so much to be stressed about these days, and... It's still the best feeling in the world to run into a former student or their fam and hear about their grown-up lives—all while picturing a little one in your mind.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

In case you missed it, I created a *free* game that families and educators can use to help learners process how the start of the year is going on. Find it over on the Institute of Child Psychology's blog. instituteofchildpsychology.com/start-of-the...

instituteofchildpsychology.com

Start-of-the-Year Trauma-Sensitive Tips for Teachers

by Ms. Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT Some educators eagerly prepare for the start of the school year. Picture them setting up their classrooms and

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

If we're trauma-informed *enough* to teach the hand model of the brain but aren't reckoning with the consequences of unchecked injustice, we haven't mastered the material. People who suffer don't usually cause harm, and trauma on repeat without accountability is bound to escalate violence in groups.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

While there is no quick fix for shame, I do think it can help a smidge sometimes to imagine a friendly dog noticing your presence and excitedly running toward you—even when you feel awful. That’s how worthy you are of connection. Also, get a real dog if you want to and can.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Big thanks to Wilson Elementary! It was evident from the start the trauma-informed practices you have already put into place. Thank you for what you do for students!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

It was great to see familiar faces at Titan Nation! Thank you for your openness and commitment to students and families. See you soon!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Children shouldn’t be shot, and they also shouldn’t be interviewed by the press after shootings.

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

A great big thanks to Deckerville Schools for having us be a part of your back to school professional development. We appreciate your engagement and questions as you grapple with new paradigms. Have a wonderful start to the year and we look forward to working with you again this fall!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Thank you Capital Area Head Start for your participation, deep thinking, openness, and questions. This is how we create change in our systems!

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Ms. Jen @msjenalexander.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Educators, instead of saying *my* classroom (or office), say *our* space because it's not only yours. Learn why this word change is important. Plus, get tips for trauma-sensitivity as you prepare for a new year—all in my August Substack! #EduSky open.substack.com/pub/msjenale...

open.substack.com

Trauma-Sensitive Suggestions for Setting Up Your Classroom

Bring in Nature!

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