Love-Based Education with James Moffett

Chitty Chats with Stacy

This episode features an in-depth conversation with James Moffett, the principal of Ferris Elementary School in Hutchinson, Kansas. Moffett shares his journey from being unaware of trauma-informed education to fully embracing it and implementing its practices both professionally and personally.

He emphasizes the importance of meeting basic needs, like sleep, for students to aid their learning process and discusses his school's creative partnership with a local high school for providing stackable cots. Moffett outlines a continuum for becoming trauma-informed, including awareness, sensitivity, responsiveness, and investment.

He asserts that trauma-informed practices are about best practices for humans, not just children, and highlights the necessity of empathy, accountability, structure, and consequences as part of a loving educational environment.

He also discusses the challenges and rewards of applying trauma-informed practices at home with his own children, illustrating the potential for these approaches to transform relationships and environments beyond the classroom.

00:34 The Life and Times of Education: A Principal's Perspective
02:25 Embracing Trauma-Informed Education: James's Journey
10:10 The Power of Love and Consequences in Education
14:05 Applying Trauma-Informed Practices at Home
17:47 Building a Love-Based Environment at Ferris Elementary
26:59 The Cost of Connection and Compassion Fatigue
28:46 Wrapping Up: The Impact of Community in Education