Please welcome Caitlin (Cait) Leavey, Child Development and Trauma Expert, Counselor, and Early Childhood/Elementary Educator.
From losing her father, a fire fighter, at the young age of 10 on that tragic day of September 11th, Cait narrates how she transformed her grief into the impetus that led her to devote her life to childhood development education and a trauma informed career and practice. Her decision to specialize in these fields got further solidified as she witnessed two shootings during her early days teaching at a school in the outskirts of San Francisco. In this episode, Cait shares her belief in the resiliency of children, the importance of cultivating a safe space for children to learn and grow, and the power of community healing.
***TW: This episode discusses loss and gun violence***
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SHOW NOTES:
00:00 - Meet Cait Leavey
01:19 - Impact of Losing Her Father on 9/11 on Career Choice
03:44 - Childhood Memories, Traumatic Events, and Practice Insights
06:15 - Supporting Children: Cait's Approach
09:36 - Remembering 9/11: Community Strength & Facing Trauma
17:13 - Teach for America, School Shootings & Support for Teachers
27:40 - Navigating Information Overload: The Power of Listening
33:25 - Professional Insights on Future Parenting
38:12 - The need of empathy when raising children
39:44 - The impact of technology on the new generation
40:34 - Closing Remarks and Farewell
