Kathryn Magnusson, M.Ed
Founder at Wildewood Learning Training and Consulting
Education Management
Education: North Dakota State University, Bachelor of Science - University of Minnesota, Master's of Education
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Biography
Kathryn Magnusson, M.Ed., is a speaker, trainer, and consultant, and she founded Wildewood Learning Training and Consulting. She is passionate about empowering professionals who work with families, children, and youth to adopt practices that enable them to be their best, both personally and within the organization they serve.
Kathryn has over 25 years of experience in the non-profit and education sectors. With a master's degree in education from the University of Minnesota, her journey includes roles as a licensed public school teacher, social and emotional learning specialist, and youth leadership program director. Her experiences as an adoptive parent have led her to believe that adults must be caring, competent, and capable when serving children. She has refined her skills in trauma-informed practices, nonviolent communication, and strengths-based education and leadership, creating a framework to integrate these elements within an organization.
At the heart of Kathryn's mission is her strong belief in the transformative power of trauma-informed, resilience-based practices applied throughout an organization to reduce burnout and staff turnover. When leaders and staff excel, they can better serve the families, children, and youth in their communities.
Passion
Kathryn is passionate about transforming the way organizations and schools support professionals, children, and families by shifting the narrative from "What is wrong with a person?" to "What is strong and resilient?" Through her training and consulting business, Wildewood Learning, she helps schools and organizations create safe, effective, and engaging learning and workplace environments. By implementing trauma-informed resiliency practices, Kathryn equips educators and professionals with strength-based approaches that foster belonging, emotional regulation, and psychological safety. Her work is dedicated to reducing burnout and turnover while cultivating supportive spaces where individuals can thrive.
Best Story
Over my 30 years in the non-profit and education sectors, I have countless stories to tell from the perspective of an educator and parent. As a skilled, compassionate adult, I can share how I changed my interactions with students in the classroom. I also recount our journey as an adoptive parent to a sibling group from foster care and its impact on my self-care practices, ultimately making me a better parent. Additionally, I can discuss my journey with cancer and the self-awareness that emerged from that challenge. My narratives are rich with heartache, humor, healing, and hope as I, along with others I've met, navigated life's less-than-ideal moments.
Origin Story
For ten years, I taught in public schools, fostering my students' academic and emotional growth. Over time, I saw a growing need to focus on their social and emotional well-being, which led me to become a social and emotional learning (SEL) specialist. In this role, I developed SEL skills alongside the children I taught and deepened my understanding of trauma and its impact on young lives.
Moved by the struggles of children who had endured trauma, my husband and I opened our hearts and home to a sibling group of four. This experience gave me firsthand insight into the profound effects of childhood trauma and the importance of healing. Inspired by my journey, I founded Wildewood Learning to help schools and organizations integrate trauma-sensitive resiliency practices, reducing staff burnout and turnover. When staff feel better, we all do better—creating safe, effective, and engaging learning and workplace environments.
Example talks
Testimonials
" Please reach out to Kathy! Especially if you want to know about how to build a strength-based model for schools as opposed to a deficit model." Nick, Director of Special Education
"Kathryn offered in her keynote strategies to build compassionate rapport with others through a trauma-informed lens." Autumn, Behavioral Health Specialist
"Great information! Implementable ideas to benefit kids and teachers" Elementary Teacher
"Kathy created a positive environment that left you feeling refreshed. Focusing on our strengths and small valuable actions we can do with our students!" H., School Social Worker
The HEART Approach: Transforming Stress into Strength
Stress and burnout are common issues among educators. As educators under daily stress, how can we be caring and competent adults for children? Professionals will learn how deep listening, empathy, and advocacy can foster nurturing environments for children and families. Discover how recognizing and understanding emotions can transform stress into a source of strength and peace. Leave with practical strategies to manage stress and find purpose in your professional and personal life.
Takeaways:
1. Learn how to apply strategies to foster emotional regulation and connection.
2. Discover practical techniques to turn stress into a source of strength and resilience.
3. Gain tools to build stronger relationships with children and families through empathy and advocacy.
The Trauma-Informed Resilient Professional: Masterfully Turn Stress into Purpose & Peace
In her engaging talk, Kathy explores the transformative potential of trauma-informed practice, a highly sought-after approach among helping professionals such as social workers, youth workers, and those in prevention roles. Kathy delves into the challenges of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, offering practical strategies for maintaining emotional resilience and well-being. Through her insightful guidance, professionals learn to navigate challenging emotions and establish boundaries while delivering their best work in any high-stress environment. By embracing trauma-informed principles, attendees gain invaluable tools to foster healing and connection within themselves and in their interactions with others.
Takeaways:
1. Trauma-informed practice is a powerful approach that enhances the effectiveness of helping professionals in high-stress environments.
2. Practical strategies for managing compassion fatigue and secondary trauma support emotional resilience and well-being.
3. Applying trauma-informed principles fosters healing, strengthens connections, and improves interactions with others.
Stress Under Control: Strategies for Wellbeing
In our busy lives today, it’s natural to feel stressed occasionally, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. In this workshop, we’ll dive into understanding the stress cycle and the impact of chronic stress. You’ll engage in meaningful discussions and interactive exercises to uncover your personal stress triggers and share ways to break that cycle. Together, we’ll discover research-backed techniques that fit your unique needs, leaving you with personalized strategies to manage stress so you can cultivate habits that support your long-term well-being. By the end of our time together, you’ll feel empowered to take charge of your stress, integrating practices that encourage balance, resilience, and wellness into your everyday life!
Emotional Intelligence for the Workplace
Embrace the power of emotions in your stress-response toolkit during this dynamic session. Learn invaluable strategies to identify and navigate strong emotions while gaining insight into handling situations beyond your control. By honing the ability to understand and articulate your emotions, you'll unlock the key to reducing stress and reclaiming control over your life. Empower yourself with the ultimate stress-busting skills!
Takeaways:
1. Understanding and embracing emotions is a powerful tool for managing stress effectively.
2. Identifying and navigating strong emotions helps in handling challenging situations with greater ease.
3. Developing emotional awareness and articulation reduces stress and enhances personal control over life.
A Focus on Protective Factors to Grow the Strength of Youth: Trauma-Sensitive Strength-Based Approach
Youth need opportunities to identify and develop their strengths and fill their toolboxes with skills to handle life stressors. Youth who can name their strengths and values and affirm their positive characteristics have reduced stress levels and an increased positive outlook on life. They can aspire to growth and well-being with positive experiences to develop these skills. In this session, participants will learn how stress affects learning and the importance of connecting with students using positive characteristics. Several activities will be demonstrated to help youth identify their strengths and values.
Takeaways:
1. Identifying and developing strengths helps youth build resilience and manage life stressors effectively.
2. Recognizing personal strengths and values reduces stress levels and promotes a positive outlook on life.
3. Creating positive experiences and connections supports youth in developing essential skills for growth and well-being.
Speaking Engagements
Evergreen Youth and Family Services Conference
Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference
Minnesota Association of Children Mental Health Conference
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
Over my 30 years in the non-profit and education sectors, I have countless stories to tell from the perspective of an educator and parent. As a skilled, compassionate adult, I can share how I changed my interactions with students in the classroom. I also recount our journey as an adoptive parent to a sibling group from foster care and its impact on my self-care practices, ultimately making me a better parent. Additionally, I can discuss my journey with cancer and the self-awareness that emerged from that challenge. My narratives are rich with heartache, humor, healing, and hope as I, along with others I've met, navigated life's less-than-ideal moments.
Origin Story
For ten years, I taught in public schools, fostering my students' academic and emotional growth. Over time, I saw a growing need to focus on their social and emotional well-being, which led me to become a social and emotional learning (SEL) specialist. In this role, I developed SEL skills alongside the children I taught and deepened my understanding of trauma and its impact on young lives.
Moved by the struggles of children who had endured trauma, my husband and I opened our hearts and home to a sibling group of four. This experience gave me firsthand insight into the profound effects of childhood trauma and the importance of healing. Inspired by my journey, I founded Wildewood Learning to help schools and organizations integrate trauma-sensitive resiliency practices, reducing staff burnout and turnover. When staff feel better, we all do better—creating safe, effective, and engaging learning and workplace environments.
Example talks
Testimonials
" Please reach out to Kathy! Especially if you want to know about how to build a strength-based model for schools as opposed to a deficit model." Nick, Director of Special Education
"Kathryn offered in her keynote strategies to build compassionate rapport with others through a trauma-informed lens." Autumn, Behavioral Health Specialist
"Great information! Implementable ideas to benefit kids and teachers" Elementary Teacher
"Kathy created a positive environment that left you feeling refreshed. Focusing on our strengths and small valuable actions we can do with our students!" H., School Social Worker
The HEART Approach: Transforming Stress into Strength
Stress and burnout are common issues among educators. As educators under daily stress, how can we be caring and competent adults for children? Professionals will learn how deep listening, empathy, and advocacy can foster nurturing environments for children and families. Discover how recognizing and understanding emotions can transform stress into a source of strength and peace. Leave with practical strategies to manage stress and find purpose in your professional and personal life.
Takeaways:
1. Learn how to apply strategies to foster emotional regulation and connection.
2. Discover practical techniques to turn stress into a source of strength and resilience.
3. Gain tools to build stronger relationships with children and families through empathy and advocacy.
The Trauma-Informed Resilient Professional: Masterfully Turn Stress into Purpose & Peace
In her engaging talk, Kathy explores the transformative potential of trauma-informed practice, a highly sought-after approach among helping professionals such as social workers, youth workers, and those in prevention roles. Kathy delves into the challenges of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, offering practical strategies for maintaining emotional resilience and well-being. Through her insightful guidance, professionals learn to navigate challenging emotions and establish boundaries while delivering their best work in any high-stress environment. By embracing trauma-informed principles, attendees gain invaluable tools to foster healing and connection within themselves and in their interactions with others.
Takeaways:
1. Trauma-informed practice is a powerful approach that enhances the effectiveness of helping professionals in high-stress environments.
2. Practical strategies for managing compassion fatigue and secondary trauma support emotional resilience and well-being.
3. Applying trauma-informed principles fosters healing, strengthens connections, and improves interactions with others.
Stress Under Control: Strategies for Wellbeing
In our busy lives today, it’s natural to feel stressed occasionally, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. In this workshop, we’ll dive into understanding the stress cycle and the impact of chronic stress. You’ll engage in meaningful discussions and interactive exercises to uncover your personal stress triggers and share ways to break that cycle. Together, we’ll discover research-backed techniques that fit your unique needs, leaving you with personalized strategies to manage stress so you can cultivate habits that support your long-term well-being. By the end of our time together, you’ll feel empowered to take charge of your stress, integrating practices that encourage balance, resilience, and wellness into your everyday life!
Emotional Intelligence for the Workplace
Embrace the power of emotions in your stress-response toolkit during this dynamic session. Learn invaluable strategies to identify and navigate strong emotions while gaining insight into handling situations beyond your control. By honing the ability to understand and articulate your emotions, you'll unlock the key to reducing stress and reclaiming control over your life. Empower yourself with the ultimate stress-busting skills!
Takeaways:
1. Understanding and embracing emotions is a powerful tool for managing stress effectively.
2. Identifying and navigating strong emotions helps in handling challenging situations with greater ease.
3. Developing emotional awareness and articulation reduces stress and enhances personal control over life.
A Focus on Protective Factors to Grow the Strength of Youth: Trauma-Sensitive Strength-Based Approach
Youth need opportunities to identify and develop their strengths and fill their toolboxes with skills to handle life stressors. Youth who can name their strengths and values and affirm their positive characteristics have reduced stress levels and an increased positive outlook on life. They can aspire to growth and well-being with positive experiences to develop these skills. In this session, participants will learn how stress affects learning and the importance of connecting with students using positive characteristics. Several activities will be demonstrated to help youth identify their strengths and values.
Takeaways:
1. Identifying and developing strengths helps youth build resilience and manage life stressors effectively.
2. Recognizing personal strengths and values reduces stress levels and promotes a positive outlook on life.
3. Creating positive experiences and connections supports youth in developing essential skills for growth and well-being.