From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs
In From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs, we offer ten practical strategies educators can use to create classrooms that heal instead of harm. Rather than relying on traditional behavior management, this book helps teachers understand behavior as communication, focus on student strengths, and build meaningful relationships, especially for learners carrying invisible burdens from trauma, foster care, and family instability.
Coming soon from Times10 Publications.
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What people are saying about From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs
From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs gives teachers practical, trauma-responsive strategies they can use right away. Fields and Davis remind us that behavior is communication, and their Hacks provide clear steps for creating classrooms built on safety, connection, and hope. This book not only equips educators with immediate tools but also reinforces a truth I deeply believe: relationships are the key to lasting change. A valuable resource for any educator committed to reaching every student.
Dr. Brad Johnson
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#3 Global Guru in Education, international speaker, and author of Room 212 and Relational Intelligence
Infused with hard-won wisdom, seasoned teachers Jill Davis and Katie Fields share discipline and guidance Hacks that will help you create a more peaceful classroom where children can flourish academically and emotionally. Based on solid principles of neuroscience and human development, the ideas they present not only apply to children who have experienced maltreatment and trauma but to all students. And there are practical steps you can implement tomorrow in elementary, middle school and high school classrooms. A helpful read for all teachers seeking new tools to meet the challenges of classroom life.
Dr. Barbara Sorrels
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25-year educator and university professor, Executive Director of the Institute for Childhood Education in Tulsa, founder of Connected Kids, and author of Reaching and Teaching Children Exposed to Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Care for Infants, Toddlers, and Two-Year-Olds.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs! The writing is so clear and leans far into practice while staying solidly attuned to theory.
As I read, I kept thinking, “They put that idea so succinctly,” “I have to remember how they phrased that,” and “Why didn’t I think of that in my classroom?” In fact, I underlined 47 ideas and quotes … it’s that good. As Fields and Davis remind us, strategies that are necessary for our underserved, exploited and traumatized students are invaluable for the entire class, regardless of their backgrounds. Every school, every student, every teacher will thrive and grow by reading this book.
Jeffery Benson
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50+ year educator, consultant, presenter and international author of numerous articles and books, including Hacking School Discipline Together.
These extraordinary authors provide us with an invaluable resource, calling out what is real in education and providing us with trauma responsive ways to address it. The layout is perfect! I especially love the section on how to address the pushback, and the practical tidbits and refreshing reframes resonated deeply with me. This is a resource that will truly help us improve the work we are doing with students, staff and families. Thank you, Dr. Fields and Dr. Davis, for providing such a valuable book. It truly is a must-read!
Kristin Souers
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trainer, consultant and co-author of Fostering Resilient Learners and Relationship, Responsibility, and Regulation
This book should be required reading for everyone in education. Out with old-school “this is how it’s always been done” classroom management, in with a trauma-responsive framework built on compassion and connection, which leads to fewer classroom behavior issues and real student achievement.
Dr. Fields and Dr. Davis remind us to shift the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” I really wish I’d read this book before my first year of teaching, as I would’ve been more effective with just this one shift in perspective. In addition, the 10 practical Hacks give teachers real strategies to implement right away.
This isn’t just another book about discipline alternatives; it’s a call for more empathy in education across the board. It’s also a blueprint for all public education stakeholders because, if we really want to help every student feel seen, safe, AND ready to learn, this engaging book shows us how.
Oklahoma State Representative Jacob Rosecrants
/ former educator and author of HB 1569 “The Play to Learn Act”
Who is this book for?
This book is for educators who know there’s more to behavior than meets the eye. Maybe you work with students in foster care, or you’ve seen how trauma shows up in the classroom long after the crisis has passed. Maybe you’re supporting teachers, mentoring pre-service educators, or just feeling deep in your gut that punishment isn’t the answer. If you’ve ever looked at a student and thought, “Something deeper is going on here,” then this book is for you.thought, “Something deeper is going on here.”