Rooted in Hope is more than a book—it’s a call to reimagine education through the lens of healing, equity, and connection. Drawing from over two decades of experience in schools, therapy, and trauma-informed coaching, Katie McDonald blends personal narrative with cutting-edge neuroscience to illuminate how shame, resilience, and hope shape the classroom.

Grounded in the Rooted in Hope framework, this book walks educators through the process of becoming trauma-responsive—from self-reflection to student support to whole-school transformation. You’ll explore how trauma impacts the brain, why regulation is relational, and how intentional practices can rebuild trust, purpose, and belonging.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or leading the way in trauma-responsive education, Rooted in Hope offers practical tools, powerful stories, and a renewed sense of what’s possible—when we choose connection over control, and hope over harm.