But Rowe-Russell knew from 19 years of teaching at South L.A.’s West Athens Elementary School that when her students experience trauma, it needs to be addressed before they can concentrate and learn. Christopher is one of about 640,000 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Share and Care also does not seek out students who have post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. “The body can relax.” Knowing how to relax can help a traumatized student greatly in times of stress. Christopher felt protective toward his mother long before his sister died.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 19, 2016 10:03 UTC