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Rooted in Resilience: Trauma-Sensitive Teaching That Transforms
A four part series exploring the impact of trauma on student development with asset-based strategies and priorities!
Wednesdays, August 20th and 27th,
September 10th and 24th
Now archived here for your professional learning!
Part 1
Laying the foundation for this important work, Elisa and Serenity share how the COVID-19 disruption served as the reset that frames this important work taking place in schools today. Watch the recording here!
Part 2
Elisa and Serenity provide strategies for appropriate responses to challenging student behaviors from a trauma-sensitive approach with an emphasis on the importance of human connection.
Part 3
Acquire asset-based strategies and add classroom routines, procedures, and norms to your toolkit that support learners and promote student engagement and an engaging, inclusive classroom culture.
Part 4
Delve into how honoring culture and life experiences, communication, building trust, and partnering with others to strengthen school-community relationships are critical components of a trauma-sensitive teaching approach.
Led by Elisa Hong
Transform ED Content Expert
Elisa Hong is a visionary educational leader and instructional coach with over 18 years of experience in the field of education. With dual B.A. degrees in History and Secondary Social Studies Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Towson University, she holds advanced professional certification in both Early Childhood and Secondary Social Studies. Currently, she is working towards her Ed.D Bowie State University.
Elisa began her career in early childhood centers as a kindergarten teacher and later served as an assistant director, where she developed a strong foundation in whole child education. She then joined Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), teaching kindergarten and first grade and serving in various leadership roles, including grade-level team leader, mentor teacher, elected representative to the Council for Teaching and Learning, district-level trainer, consulting teacher and instructional specialist.
Elisa has extensive experience coaching pre-service, novice, and underperforming teachers. She has contributed to districtwide induction and professional learning by supporting a number of professional learning initiatives and projects. She has designed and delivered training for novice teachers, conditionally certified teachers, special education teachers, Title 1 teachers, and teacher leaders covering a variety of topics such as foundational teacher pedagogy, culturally responsive practices, trauma-informed practices and teacher leadership. Elisa has played a pivotal role in the expansion of a district’s onboarding programs.
Elisa’s leadership extends to state-level initiatives. She co-authored, supported and implemented multiple grants. The Maryland PDS Project 2025 was an innovative collaboration among two school systems and The University of Maryland to strengthen the teacher pipeline. The Maryland Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund Grant supported the innovative induction models for schools most impacted by the pandemic. RISE Teacher Collaborative is a collaboration between a school system and Johns Hopkins University and focuses on improving retention of conditionally certified special education teachers through high quality professional development on Universal Design for Learning and culturally responsive teaching practices.
As a dynamic facilitator and presenter, Elisa has co-presented at the National Association for School-University Partnerships Conference and the Council for Exceptional Children Conference.
Elisa has helped lead professional learning rooted in culturally responsive and relational practices. Her passion for students extends beyond the classroom into the community. She teaches Sunday School and serves on the Children’s Ministry Leadership Team at her church, where she continues to invest in the next generation.
With deep expertise in culturally responsive teaching, adult learning, trauma-informed practices, and school-based systems for student support, Elisa is committed to fostering inclusive, relational, and resilient learning communities.
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