About the Author

Dr. Amanda-Lee Pitzer is an Educational Psychologist, Program Director, author, and national advocate dedicated to reshaping how schools and communities respond to trauma. She specializes in trauma-informed education, educational psychology, and curriculum leadership, teaching at Columbia College of South Carolina, Regent University, and Grand Canyon University.

In 2025, Dr. Pitzer was named Director of the Mentoring and Dissertation Coaching Program within Regent University’s School of Education, where she supports doctoral candidates and faculty mentors through every stage of the dissertation process.

A leader in curriculum innovation, she has redesigned graduate-level programs to align with current research in trauma science, child development, and social-emotional learning. Her course and program updates address the real-world needs of educators supporting students through adversity while helping future educational leaders translate research into meaningful practice.

She is the author of The Relieved Widow: Unexpected Truths of Suicide Loss, When Children Are Hurting: A Smart Living in Small Bites Guidebook, and Classroom Strategies for Trauma-Informed Teaching: Restoring Trust, Connection, and Hope. Her work on trauma-informed teaching is being incorporated into graduate teacher education and professional learning contexts, extending her commitment to preparing educators to respond to students with greater understanding, connection, and skill.

Her next book, Secondary Traumatic Stress in Teaching: Understanding Trauma, Resilience, and the Systems That Shape Support in Schools, is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. The book expands the conversation beyond student trauma to examine the emotional and systemic impact of trauma exposure on educators themselves, including the roles of resilience, organizational culture, leadership, and school-based systems of support.

Outside of academia, Dr. Pitzer serves as Chapter President for Angels of America’s Fallen – Hampton Roads and is a proud Gold Star Advocate with T.A.P.S. (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). She regularly meets with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for military survivor families and veteran mental health. In 2024, she played a key role in advocacy surrounding the Elizabeth Dole Act, legislation supporting caregivers, veterans, and their families.

Whether teaching future educators, mentoring doctoral scholars, writing for practitioners, or influencing policy, Dr. Pitzer’s work is grounded in the belief that every child deserves a safe adult—and every educator deserves the preparation and support to become one.