The trauma-informed equity-minded asset-based model (TEAM): The six R’s for social justice-oriented educators

Abstract

This paper describes the Trauma-informed Equity-minded Asset-based Model (TEAM) framework for social justice-oriented educators. We draw on trauma-informed approaches to illustrate how systemic racism as systemic trauma and normative whiteness as dominant ideology are embedded in the U.S education and media institutions. From an equity-minded perspective, we critique notions such as egalitarianism, colorblind racism, neoliberal multiculturalism, and abstract liberalism. Using an asset-based model, we urge educators to avoid deficit ideologies to frame marginalized communities. The TEAM approach offers the following “Six R’s” as strategies: (1) Realizing that dominant ideologies are embedded in educational systems, (2) Recognizing the long-term effects of systemic trauma on learners from aggrieved communities, (3) Responding to trauma by emphasizing safety, trust, collaboration, peer network, agency, and voice within learning environments, (4) Resisting retraumatization within learning environments, (5) Replacing egalitarianism with equity-mindedness and (6) Reframing deficit ideology with an asset-based lens to learners.