Nicole provides a practical trauma-informed approach that can decrease disruptive behaviors, increase motivation, and improve overall academic performance by as much as 80% in one semester.
These simple strategies work without extra time needed or being a mental health professional. She has trained thousands of educators and mental health professionals across the country, including Harvard School Mental Health Conference where she received a standing ovation.
Nicole's work has also been featured in numerous national and international publications and media.
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About Nicole
Nicole Thompson is a speaker, retired school psychologist and mom of four. She has served children from birth to emerging adulthood in different capacities for over twenty years.
Nicole is the founder of GOAT Educators with a mission to heal student trauma with love. She provides trauma-informed training for educators, mental health professionals, and those that serve urban youth online, at conferences, schools, districts, and organizations.
Nicole is the author of Reach to Teach: 7 Simple Trauma-Informed Steps to Help Urban Students Engage, Improve Grades, and Decrease Disruptive Behaviors Overnight. She is also a co-author of a book called Black Therapists Rock.
Nicole’s work has also been featured in Harvard School Mental Health Conference, Forbes, Psychotherapy Networker, FE News UK, Atlanta News First, and numerous others.
If you are looking for someone to transform your learning spaces and help students thrive, Nicole Thompson is the answer for your next event.
Nicole's Talks
How to Heal Student Trauma With Love: A Practical Trauma-Informed Approach
According to the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality, nearly half of American children are living through adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This oftentimes negatively impacts the growing brain and overall development to include learning, motivation, social/emotional stability, and relationships. The goal of this keynote is to provide a space for those that serve vulnerable students a time to reflect, learn about trauma and how it manifests, as well as provide a practical trauma-informed framework to heal student trauma with love.
Attendees will learn:
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Proven strategies to engage and motivate their students
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How to quickly deescalate disruptive behaviors
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Ways to empower students and improve academic outcomes
When Students Fulfill Educators’ Expectations: And Not in a Good Way
Research shows that teacher expectations greatly influence student outcomes. When teachers believe in students, they achieve. Each word of encouragement or lack thereof guides students to a path of success or failure. This keynote addresses the impact that stereotypes and bias has on educator expectations and offers a solution that will encourage students to thrive.
Attendees will learn:
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How to prevent the overuse of punitive punishment
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Tools to build an inclusive environment for all students
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Decrease educator frustration and overwhelm
Love Them Through It: Your Guide to Managing Your Child’s Difficulties
We are living in a world where children are faced with challenges like never before. An era of mass school shootings, the aftermath of COVID, and all that social media brings - whether bullying or low self-worth. This keynote offers parents ways to support their children through challenging times to foster resilience.
Attendees will learn:
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How to effectively communicate with their child.
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Strategies to nurture social-emotional intelligence.
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Tips to foster a growth mindset.
Teacher at Chestnut Grove Elementary
“THIS! Thank you. Your training is still the best I have ever received. I used your training this school year and I’ve seen every child grow a grade level in one semester. THANK YOU!”
Harvard School Mental Health Conference Attendee
“Special shoutout to Nicole Thompson who came all the way from Philly to share her passion about working with urban students as a school psychologist and was the only speaker of the conference who got a standing ovation! Nicole, you were the highlight of the event!”
IFS Conference Attendee
“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your sharing today. What you said was practical, accessible, affirmative, and directly useful. I work with a wonderful and highly traumatized adult population, and I could hear their voices in my head while you spoke.”
