Trauma-Informed Online Teaching Strategies: Girls and Women in Afghanistan

Session 4: 4:00pm-5:00pm (Friday March 07, 2025)

 

Description

This session equips educators with trauma-informed strategies to teach Afghan girls and women online, ensuring lessons are supportive, culturally sensitive, and empowering. Using the SAFE Framework (Safety, Accessibility, Flexibility, Empowerment), participants will: Learn to establish emotional safety through supervised admission, routines, check-ins, and respectful interactions. Adapt learning materials for technological and linguistic accessibility using tools like WhatsApp, Quizlet, Google Classroom, Zoom, and multilingual content. Explore flexible approaches to accommodate students' unique challenges. Build confidence through positive reinforcement and culturally relevant tasks. Interactive activities include creating simple digital games, and discussions, and practicing positive feedback techniques. Participants will leave with practical tools, actionable ideas, and inspiration to foster equitable, compassionate online learning experiences.

Presenters

Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Elke Damesyn

Institute For English Literacy (IEL)

I was born and raised in Germany and have had the opportunity to live and work in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Namibia, and the U.S. My passion for culture and social justice led me to found the Institute for English Literacy (IEL) in 2021, shortly after the Taliban banned education for Afghan women. Through IEL’s trauma-informed online school, my team of 17 Afghan teachers and I provide English and computer skills to about 500 Afghan women each year.

Lead Presenter Bio Photo

Olga Evans

University of San Francisco

Olga Evans, MA, MS, TESOL, a doctoral candidate in Higher Education and Adult Learning, is a multilingual, first-generation American with a diverse background in psychology and computer science. She is an experienced ESOL and L2Russian teacher specializing in program and curriculum development with a deep commitment to humanitarian work. Olga has extensive experience leading nonprofit organizations focused on supporting refugees and individuals affected by armed conflicts.

Type of Presentation

Demonstration (60 Minutes)

Audience

  • Teachers
  • Administrators
  • Support Staff (Transition Specialists, Counselors, Librarians, etc.)

Program Strands

  • Adult Basic Education
  • Adult Secondary Education
  • English as a Second Language
  • Short-term Career Technical Education

Category Strands

  • Ensuring Equity and Access
  • Designing Learning Experiences
  • Student Support Services