Bio

Highlights:

• Experienced special education teacher
• Masters in Neuroscience and Education from Columbia University
• Consultant, speaker, and author on educational issues with a focus on special education, inclusive practices, social-emotional needs, trauma, foster care, and culturally-responsive and sustaining education

---

Short bio

Trynia Kaufman is an author, speaker, and educational consultant who specializes in brain-based learning strategies, trauma-informed teaching, and disability inclusion. She has held various roles in the education sector including as a special education teacher, technical assistance provider, and director of a college and career access program for youth in foster care. Trynia is the author of Overcoming the School Trauma Cycle: Academic and Emotional Supports for Struggling Learners. She has a Master of Science in neuroscience and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. You can connect with Trynia at tryniakaufman.com.

Deep Dive

I’ve loved teaching ever since I was about 5 years old and my students were a hodgepodge of dolls and stuffed animals. (I didn’t have any younger siblings.) When I grew up, people who knew me were surprised I didn’t immediately go into education. Like many young people, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. For those of us who don’t have a clear-cut path in front of us, we have to figure it out as we go. We have to pay close attention to what works well for us and what doesn’t, and eventually, with a healthy dose of luck and persistence, we hopefully find work that makes us feel more alive.

In my case, I noticed that in every role, I found myself running workshops and mentoring other employees at every turn. And I loved it. Eventually, I landed a position that allowed me to lean into these skills by running a college and career access program for young people in foster care. I quickly came to learn that only 50% of kids in foster care graduate from high school. And they are much more likely to be identified as needing special education services.

Witnessing the struggles of these young adults – academically and emotionally – led me to become certified as a special education teacher and start teaching at a public high school. Teaching is not easy business by any means, especially with salaries so low that many have to supplement with other jobs. But I knew that my job mattered. Every minute of every day.

I eventually decided I needed to learn more about how we can most effectively teach kids who are struggling in school. So I moved to New York to study and earn a Master of Science in neuroscience and education from Columbia University. After graduating, I spent a few years working with Understood.org and then with Bank Street College of Education providing professional development and coaching with the New York State Education Department. Now I’ve branched out on my own to provide educational therapy & tutoring as well as educational consulting services with a focus on special education, social-emotional supports, trauma, and culturally responsive and inclusive teaching.

Although I’m not in the classroom anymore, I am committed to making life better and easier for educators and students, especially for our most vulnerable students – including kids with disabilities and learning challenges, kids who are living in poverty, kids who are homeless or in foster care, and kids who are stigmatized and side-lined by the system and our society due to race, ethnicity, ability, gender, language, religion, or other identities.

You will find the many, varied pieces of me through this site. Most of my work is focused on education issues, but I’m also an adventure-seeking, travel-loving, neuroscience nerd. And underpinning all of that, I’m an everyday activist, always looking for ways to challenge inequities in my daily life.

You can contact me at trynia.kaufman@gmail.com