Melissa Williamson, an Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching lecturer in the UTSA College of Education and Human Development is lending her expertise to a special community summit on “How Traumatic Experiences Affect Learning.” In partnership with KLRN and Sesame Street in Communities, the virtual summit gathers local community experts to discuss how traumatic experiences can impact learning.
“I will be sharing the importance of understanding what trauma is, and how as adults our own negative experiences can have an impact on how we raise our children,” Williamson said. “It is also important to note that the majority of us, have been impacted by adverse childhood experiences.”
Dr. Williamson is a certified trauma professional and has vast expertise in understanding trauma and the brain structure that impact learning. Not only does her expertise come from personal experience, but from her research. She has works as an early childhood professional learning consultant who brings this and many other important topics to audiences across the country. It is her willingness to give back to her own community through the partnership with KLRN that has made this opportunity possible.
The virtual event, held in English and Spanish, is part of the Sesame Street in Communities initiative, which in its second year, deepens Sesame Workshop and PBS KIDS’ longstanding commitment to using the power of public television to bring critical early learning to children across the country in communities big and small.
“The Sesame Street in Communities initiative is key to providing some of our nation’s most vulnerable young learners with a strong foundation,” said Debra Sanchez, CPB senior vice president, Education and Children's Content. “We are proud to extend our partnership with Sesame Workshop at this critical time to reach communities across the country, when the pandemic has impacted so many.”
The free event will be held Saturday, April 10 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. in English and in from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Spanish. Interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www.klrn.org/events