Dissertation Proposal Announcement Ed.D. Program: Jacelyn Matthews, “Navigating Compassion and Resilience: Supporting the Emotional Well-Being of Teachers Working with Refugee Students”

This qualitative study explores how ELL educators are personally and professionally impacted by teaching refugee students who have experienced trauma. Drawing on a trauma-informed care framework and using narrative inquiry as the methodological approach, this research investigates how educators interpret and respond to the emotional, academic, and behavioral needs of refugee learners in K–12 classrooms. The study is grounded in the understanding that refugee students often arrive in U.S. schools with layered and ongoing traumas stemming from war, forced migration, and disrupted education, all of which shape their ability to engage in the learning process. As the demands placed on ELL teachers continue to grow—especially in under-resourced districts—it becomes critical to examine the emotional labor and systemic challenges these educators face. This research is situated in New Jersey, one of the most diverse states in the U.S. and a significant site for refugee resettlement. Through in-depth interviews, the study seeks to elevate teacher voices, surface gaps in professional preparation, and offer insight into how schools can more effectively support both educators and refugee students. The findings will contribute to the broader discourse on trauma-informed pedagogy and the development of more responsive, equity-centered educational practices.