A Comprehensive Look at the Conception of Teachers as First Responders

Author : Jeanne Gunther

Abstract :The idea of a teacher being well-positioned for the noticing of traumatization in students is not a new one. In fact, teachers are responsible for such identifications and are under moral obligation to provide help (USDE, 2024). These expectations are supported by resources designed to make teachers trauma-informed (i.e.: Hanlon, 2022; NEA, 2025; USDE, n.d., ), and recent efforts have expanded these resources to teacher preparation programs (Gunther, 2023). Many children spend more waking hours with their teacher than their parents (Minkel, 2018). It makes sense that teachers will often be the very first to realize a child is in trauma. With teachers receiving training in the identifying and supporting of children impacted by traumatic events, and serving as the first to address those students in crisis; should teachers not be granted the title of first responder? This paper provides and analysis of the existing on the topic of teachers as first responders to uncover emerging conceptions of this notion.

Keywords :Teachers, First Responders, Education, Trauma.

Conference Name :International Conference on Education and Social Science (ICESS-25)

Conference Place Split, Croatia

Conference Date 3rd Oct 2025