Tom Brunzell

Dr Tom Brunzell (MST, EdM, PhD) has experience as a teacher, school leader, researcher and education advisor. Currently he is the Director of Education at Berry Street and Honorary Fellow at the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Tom presents internationally on topics of transforming school culture, student engagement, trauma-aware practice, wellbeing and positive psychology, and effective school leadership. His research at the University of Melbourne investigates trauma-informed strengths-based classroom strategies; and both the negative impacts of secondary traumatic stress and the positive impacts of wellbeing on teachers and leaders working towards educational equity in their communities. His book: Creating Trauma-informed Strengths Based Classrooms, co-authored with Dr Jacolyn Norrish, is available through Hachette/Jessica Kingsley Publishers, UK, and booksellers world-wide.

The Berry Street Education Model provides schools with the training, curriculum and strategies to engage students who struggle to learn. This education initiative is different because it is research-informed, multifaceted and systemic. It is unique because it educates schools and their leaders in our trauma-informed positive education approach to reinforce and sustain cognitive and behavioural change, thereby re-engaging the young person in learning and progressing their academic achievement.