The Trauma Informed Classroom

A VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council) Professional Learning session presented by Lucia Prinzi and Rod Begbie.

Lucia and Rod believe that a trauma-informed classroom is one in which the students become the heroes of their own story of healing from trauma and thriving, and where the teacher curates a space where that is possible by being a safe, authentic and connected presence and creating consistent and predictable rhythms for the class – hearing and validating their students, and feeding the part of them that believes that the world is safe and predictable.

In this session, with this kind of transformation in mind, Lucia and Rod will talk about how trauma presents in the classroom and how we can make the classroom a genuinely safe place for students and teachers, a place where healing and thriving is possible.

They will finish their session with a discussion of the kind of self-care required to do this work sustainably.

Lucia Prinzi has dedicated over 20 years to the non-profit sector, focusing on trauma-informed practice principles and concepts. Her passion lies in raising awareness and responding to domestic and family violence. Lucia has held executive board positions at both Safe and Equal and the InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence. Throughout her career, she has taken on various practice, leadership, and policy roles.

Currently, Lucia is sharing her extensive knowledge by educating students studying for the Diploma of Community Services at Melbourne Polytechnic. She firmly believes that good practice leads to safe responses, and she is committed to fostering this belief in the next generation of community service professionals. 

Rod Begbie, LN Teacher, B/Arts, M/Theatre Studies, Dip Ed (Secondary) English/Drama, Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment, Clinical Pastoral Education (Level 1).

Rod has worked for over three decades in public and private sector adult education both in Australia and overseas. Initially training as a Secondary English and Drama teacher, Rod pivoted early in his career to teaching English to International Students in TAFE and University language schools both in Australia and overseas. More recently he has moved into the LN Support area at Melbourne Polytechnic and is loving this opportunity to engage with a wider range of students and departments.

Rod also works in pastoral care and leadership coaching and is exploring what a trauma-informed lens looks like in both these spaces.

We look forward to seeing you there.

VALBEC PL Forums Team

Who: Lucia Prinzi and Rod Begbie

When: Wednesday, 25^th June 2025, 5.30-6.30 pm AEST

Where: Zoom

Cost: VALBEC Members Free; non-Members $10