Think Tank discusses stress in our schools, how it’s affecting children, teachers

This week on Think Tank we discuss the neurology of trauma and toxic stress, its impact on us over the lifespan, how it impacts learning in children and physiology in adults.

BY MIKE O'NEIL/THE THINK TANK

May 20, 2022, 10:30 AM Updated: 1:21 pm

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K-12 students are suffering an increase in what experts refer to as adverse childhood experiences, caused by COVID-19 and other factors.

This week we discuss the neurology of trauma and toxic stress, its impact on us over the lifespan, how it impacts learning in children and physiology in adults.

A Maricopa County study found that levels of teacher stress are at record levels.

This week’s Think Tank asks:

• What’s the problem?
• How big is it?
• What is being done?
• Does it impact teachers as well as students?

Our guests are:

Jennifer Tunning, director of clinical services for Van Delen, which specializes in behavioral and mental health services.

Iya Affo works for the Arizona Adverse Childhood Experiences, which has obtained a $2 million grant from the Arizona Department of Health Services to deal with teacher and student stress and trauma.

Laura Wiggins is a elementary-middle school teacher in the Apache Junction Unified School District, where she also mentors new teachers.

The Think Tank airs on KTAR 92.3 FM on Saturday 6-7 p.m. and Sunday 9-10 p.m.

Podcasts are available after broadcast. Older shows are archived at www.mikeoneil.org.