Exposure to trauma--which many experts view as include ongoing life stressors like poverty, parents divorcing, death of a family member, or drug abuse in the home--is prevalent among school-aged children. Teachers know that facing trauma impedes students' ability to focus and learn, but it can be challenging to keep responding caringly to a student whose behavior is disruptive. Besides stepping back from intense situations with "tough nugget" kids to remember your overall goal and seeking support from colleagues, Souers recommends six specific strategies that help teachers reach students whose lives are affected by trauma.