ROE 39 Leads International School Trauma Presentation

DECATUR -- Innovation can come through collaboration. That is the core message from Regional Office of Education No. 39 as it helped lead an international presentation in Canada with local groups in Macon County on trauma-informed learning environments in schools:

The Trauma Informed Partnership of Macon County was recently selected as a featured presenter in Toronto, Canada at the annual conference of the American Educational Research Association (AERA). The work and research of the partnership titled, Community Supported Innovation Incubators: A Case Study of Two Elementary Schools Creating Trauma Informed Learning Environments, initially earned acceptance at this prestigious world-wide conference. The 85-page research paper was then advanced and achieved selection out of over 12,000 research projects to be included in the AERA Presidential Cross-cutting Session.

The work of this research project and the Trauma Informed Partnership speaks to the successful collaboration of schools and educators, the Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education, the Illinois Education Association, SIU School of Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy, and the Education Coalition of Macon County and The Community Foundation. The issues within the research highlight the challenges of building not only a trauma informed school but also the need for community support networks around the schools. The project was funded through a successful grant application presented by Decatur Public Schools to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Dr. Jeanne Koehler, lead author and researcher, stated “The openness of the schools, teachers, and principals were all paramount aspects of collecting this important data. Franklin and Muffley principals, teachers, and staff provided insight into what is possible (on small and big levels), helped identify what work still needs to be done, …this is such an honor to have this work recognized at the national level and at the largest, most prestigious educational academic conference. Attendees come from all over the world.”

Dr. Paul Fregeau, Superintendent of Decatur Public Schools, commented, “This multi-faceted partnership is a tremendous example of how students, staff, and the community can benefit from collaboration of several entities. Decatur Public Schools is proud to be recognized for their work in providing supportive environments for students and staff. “

The Trauma Informed Partnership, also known as the TIP, created in July 2016, is dedicated to developing trauma-informed schools committed to changing culture, policy, and practices to ensure trusting relationships within schools and positive learning environments. The TIP has grown to include five pilot schools and gain national interest. The original TIP pilot schools include two Decatur Public Schools and three County schools, which are: Franklin Elementary, Muffley Elementary, Argenta-Oreana Elementary, Deland Weldon (all grades), and Sangamon Valley High School. To become part of the TIP, principals applied to the program and expressed an interest in learning more about adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress, and trauma-sensitive learning environments. The principals also needed to be committed to facilitating change at both the classroom and school levels.

Jill Reedy, Assistant Regional Superintendent, who originally presented the idea of the Trauma Informed Partnership to area Superintendents and Principals, stated, “We have said all along, the innovation is in our collaboration. Caring people who are working together to create systemic, cultural change in our schools. It doesn’t cost money to care. People want a quick fix, a checklist … This is messy, hard work, and it’s a journey. Our partnership has found a way to provide a community of support for the schools willing to go on the journey.”

The TIP work is a unique collaboration among caring partners working together to improve our schools and our community. Recently, Millikin University joined the original five founding organizations of the TIP, as a directing partner. The Trauma Informed Partnership has presented at conferences throughout the state and on a national level. The work of the TIP represents thousands of hours of research, planning, training and coaching. The TIP pools its resources, talents, and commitment to improve lives for students, teachers and families.


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• Dr. Jeanne (Gee-nee) Koehler (Kay-ler) is an educational researcher who focuses on diffusion of innovation in education, problem-based learning, and learning equity focused on the STEM pipeline. Dr. Koehler began collaborating with the Trauma Informed Partnership through her role as an Assistant Professor at SIU School of Medicine working in the Department of Population Science and Policy. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Illinois. Her publications include topics of coaching and mentoring, problem-based learning, and education entrepreneurship. She is currently a learning analyst at State Farm. She continues her research with SIU School of Medicine working closely with the Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Dr. Wendi El-Amin (family medicine physician) as well as the Executive Director of the Department of Population Science and Policy, Dr. Sameer Vohra (pediatrician).

• Jill Reedy is the Assistant Regional Superintendent for the Macon/Piatt Regional Office of Education. She has spent the past twenty years in a variety of roles in education… elementary and middle school teacher, curriculum coordinator, elementary and middle school principal, and now assistant regional superintendent of schools. She and her family moved to Decatur in 2003. Her husband, Bret, has been a teacher in DPS for the past 16 years. Jill earned her BA from Illinois State University, her MA from Southwest Baptist University, and her EdS from Eastern Illinois University. Jill Reedy and Matt Snyder, the Regional Superintendent, founded the Trauma-Informed Partnership along with Dani Craft (Education Coalition of Macon County), Amelia Finch (Illinois Education Association), and Dr. Jeanne Koehler (SIU School of Medicine). Jill provides professional development throughout Illinois on trauma-informed best practices for schools, and most recently, had the honor of speaking at the American Educational Research Association’s Annual Conference in Toronto, Canada.