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In today’s episode, Will is joined by Cheryl Step, an authority on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and the profound influence they can have throughout a person’s life. Cheryl Step has extensive knowledge regarding the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences. She has experience training and coaching others about the impact of trauma and a framework of strategies that build a foundation to respond to and empower people; this helps create an environment of collective well-being. She also consults with leadership to use these strategies and build trauma-informed schools and agencies. Cheryl brings real-world experience and stories to her training from her 17 years of experience working in Oklahoma public schools as a counselor. She is certified in Traumatic Stress Studies by The Trauma Center and The Trauma Research Foundation and in ARC Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Board-Certified Counselor and School Counselor. She has established her own training and consulting company, Creating Resilience.
Cheryl delves deep into her vast knowledge pool to share:
- The effect of trauma on learning and how a structured framework can pave the way to empower individuals.
- The importance of fostering an environment that promotes collective well-being.
- Insights from her training and consulting company, Creating Resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Introduction & Connection:
Cheryl’s association with Oklahoma State University’s Center for Family Resilience and collaborations with experts like Dr. Brooke Tuttle provide deeper insights into trauma-informed care. Check out previous episodes for more:
Cheryl’s Journey:
From training horses and riders to becoming an experienced educator and counselor, Cheryl’s path is both unique and inspiring. While training a psychologist, Cheryl was encouraged by him to pursue a career in counseling, launching her transition from horse trainer to where she is today. Working at TraumaSmart in Kansas City for two years was what really helped Cheryl start doing the work that she does today.
The Importance of a Safe Environment:
Discover the crucial role attachment, regulation, and competency play in learning. Cheryl draws an analogy to different parts of a car, highlighting the importance of the prefrontal cortex in the learning process and why educators need to create regulated, connected environments conducive to learning.
Insightful Discussions:
Cheryl and Will dive deep into:
- Practical strategies schools can implement for fostering responsible behaviors.
- Tips and techniques for leaders to integrate trauma-informed strategies into staff management and their personal self-care routines.
Resource Highlight:
Explore the “Collective Well-Being Tree” on Creating Resilience.
For more, you can connect directly with Cheryl Step and delve deeper into her impactful work through her website: Creating Resilience.
Listen to the full episode to gain invaluable insights, stories, and strategies to bolster resilience in both learning and leadership environments. Don’t miss out, and thank you for doing what matters!
