Presenter: Diana Jeffries, Education and Training Manager, Pacific Immigrant Resources Society.
Date: October 23, 2018

Description

This presentation highlights the meaning of trauma and what this may look like in a classroom environment. In accordance with these factors, Diana discusses what is means to be trauma-formed, and how this involves integrating the concept of cultural humility. She also explores PIRS’s trauma-formed curriculum framework and a trauma informed environment – particularly with an emphasis on the components of control, connection and meaning. To conclude the presentation, Diana offers important and practical steps to engaging in self-care – a practice that is of utmost important to service providers who work with clients that have experienced trauma.

Biography

Diana Jeffries specializes in working with refugees and multi-barrier learners and has been involved in the EAL sector for the past 15 years. She worked for ISS of BC in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, Moving Ahead Programs with refugee youth, plus various other youth and women’s programs in the Lower Mainland.

Diana facilitates numerous workshops for educators to learn how to work better with those who have experienced trauma. She has also designed and facilitated workshops on implementing community and art based learning, and self-care. Diana has written curriculum and resource guides for a number of nonprofit community organizations and has been a consultant for BC Women’s Hospital’s Sexual Assault Services Program. Currently Diana is the Training Manager at Pacific Immigrant Resources Society where she researches, writes, and facilitates workshops on trauma informed practices for the settlement sector.