Episodic Synopsis

In this poignant episode of Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, Joey Weisler interviews Paula Reed, a veteran educator from Columbine High School. Paula shares her experiences from over 32 years in teaching, especially navigating the challenges post-tragedy. Delving into her journey of resilience and advocacy for trauma-informed education, Paula reflects on the literature she uses to facilitate healing in the classroom, like The Catcher in the Rye, The Scarlet Letter, and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. They also discuss impactful texts like The Hate U Give, The Giver, Push, and Maus, highlighting how stories can guide students through trauma. Together, Joey and Paula explore how educators can create spaces that allow students to confront and process their emotions. Paula’s insights provide hope and inspiration for educators committed to fostering resilience in their classrooms.

Show Notes

Key Points Covered:

1. Introduction of Paula Reed – Acknowledging her experience as a Columbine High School educator and her journey in trauma-informed education.
2. Pre-Columbine Littleton – Paula describes the culture of safety in Littleton, CO, before the 1999 tragedy.
3. Columbine and Beyond – Insights into her work with at-risk youth and the changes post-tragedy.
4. Grief and Trauma in Education – Paula’s approach to helping students process grief and create supportive spaces in classrooms.
5. The Role of Literature in Healing:
   • The Catcher in the Rye – Exploring shared experiences through Holden Caulfield.
   • The Scarlet Letter – Lessons on public shaming and its relevance in modern social media.
   • Speak – Understanding trauma’s impact on finding one’s voice.
6. Building a Trauma Toolkit – Discussing the importance of selectively carrying burdens and setting boundaries to manage trauma effectively.
7. Navigating Post-Trauma Identity – Paula’s advice on allowing students space for vulnerability and empathy.
8. Final Reflection – Paula’s ongoing role in activism, supporting other communities in similar struggles, and her commitment to healing through storytelling.

Episodic Synopsis

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Sarah Lerner, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teacher and editor of the anthology Parkland Speaks, which captures the voices of students and educators in the aftermath of the Parkland tragedy. Through reflections and stories, Sarah shares the journey of creating this work to help others process trauma and find hope. We discuss the lasting impact of Parkland Speaks, the importance of trauma-informed education, and Sarah's advocacy through Teachers Unified to End Gun Violence. Join us as we explore the profound themes of resilience, advocacy, and the ongoing struggle for change.

Show Notes (Key Points and Ideas)

• Introduction to Parkland Speaks: Sarah Lerner discusses her role as editor of Parkland Speaks, an anthology that captures the raw emotions of students and educators after the Parkland shooting. Link to Parkland Speaks
• Inspiration Behind the Anthology: A look into how and why Sarah created Parkland Speaks with contributors, including students, faculty, and survivors.
• Connection with Other Advocates: Sarah reflects on her friendships with other survivor teachers, including Abby Clements from Sandy Hook and Amy Stevens from Oxford High School, underscoring the shared narratives across different tragedies.
• Unique Contributions: From Stacey Lippel's congressional testimony, Nothing Bad Ever Happens in Parkland (Link) to Emma Gonzales’ "We Call BS" speech, Sarah highlights pivotal works within the anthology.
• Importance of Trauma-Informed Education: Sarah advocates for a trauma-informed approach in schools, emphasizing the need for proper support systems and mental health resources.
• Advocacy Through Teachers Unified to End Gun Violence: Sarah shares the mission behind this organization, co-founded with Abby Clements and Sari Beth Rosenberg, giving teachers a voice in the fight against gun violence.
• Final Reflections on Resilience and Hope: Sarah underscores the need for trauma-informed practices and self-care for educators, as well as the power of advocacy in creating safer learning environments.

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence is a grassroots organization co-founded by educators, including Sarah Lerner, Abby Clements, and Sari Beth Rosenberg. This organization aims to amplify teachers' voices in the gun control debate, particularly because educators are frequently the first responders during school shootings. Teachers Unify advocates for meaningful policy changes to prevent gun violence in schools and supports teachers navigating the trauma and challenges that come from experiencing such violence firsthand.

Teachers Unify Podcast

https://teachersunify.transistor.fm/episodes

The Teachers Unify Podcast is a platform that gives educators a space to discuss the impact of gun violence on schools and the mental health and safety of teachers and students. Hosted by Sarah Lerner and other co-founders of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, the podcast features conversations on the realities of school shootings, the importance of trauma-informed practices in education, and the ongoing fight for safe learning environments.

Episodic Synopsis

In this episode of Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, Joey Weisler interviews Enma Leyva, a veteran high school English teacher from Broward County, Florida, with over 17 years of experience. Enma shares her innovative approach to literacy, focusing on the power of empathy in storytelling and how it can transform students' lives. Together, they discuss how literature, like Ayn Rand’s Anthem and Lois Lowry’s The Giver, helps students navigate personal struggles and foster resilience. Enma’s emphasis on building strong relationships through journaling and creative projects, such as the Broward County Literary Fair, provides practical insights for educators seeking to inspire and engage their students in meaningful ways.

Show Notes

1. Introduction to Enma Leyva (00:00:00) - Joey introduces his guest, Enma Leyva, and highlights her 17 years of teaching experience, specializing in English literacy.
2. Literary Empathy and Character Development (00:01:24) - Discussion on Tim Gillespie’s ideas on how empathy and emotional connection in literature impact student success, as well as Enma’s personal philosophy on the stories that resonate most with her students.
3. Relating Literature to Real-Life Struggles (00:03:07) - Enma shares how stories of struggle, like The Outsiders (S. E. Hinton) and Anthem, (Ayn Rand) reflect her students' personal battles, making literature a mirror for their growth.
4. Building Grace in the Classroom (00:05:06) - Conversation on the importance of teaching students to offer grace to themselves and others through storytelling. Reference made to Patrick Zwosta's episode (segment #2) on the "Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education" podcast.
5. Engaging Students with Anthem and The Giver (00:06:13) - Joey and Enma explore how these texts provoke deep emotional reactions, encouraging students to confront societal norms and personal identity.
6. The Role of Data and Relationships in Education (00:07:58) - Enma speaks about balancing data-driven education with meaningful relationship-building, advocating for an applied approach to knowledge in the classroom.
7. Student Engagement Through Creative Projects (00:09:55) - Highlighting Enma's approach to motivating students with the Broward County Literary Fair and how winning these competitions boosts their confidence.
8. Combatting Burnout Through Journaling (00:11:01) - Enma shares her use of journaling as a tool for self-care and emotional expression, both for students and herself as a teacher.
9. Character Education and Empathy in Literature (00:12:58) - Discussion about infusing character traits into lessons, focusing on empathy, fairness, and responsibility.
10. Final Thoughts on Educational Healing (00:14:32) - Enma shares a final takeaway on the importance of communication, empathy, and resilience in creating a brighter future for education.

In this episode of Classroom Narratives Healing in Education, host Joey Weisler sits down with Pamela Rosenblum, a trauma therapist with over 38 years of experience. Pamela opens up about her experience as a caregiver for her late husband, who battled Lewy Body Dementia, and shares her insights on trauma’s impact in educational settings. Together, they explore how educators can implement trauma-informed practices to support both students and teachers. Pamela also offers practical techniques to help manage stress and prevent burnout. Whether you're an educator, caregiver, or mental health advocate, this episode provides valuable guidance on fostering resilience in the face of trauma.

Show Notes:

Guest: Pamela Rosenblum – Trauma therapist, psychoanalyst, and advocate for Lewy Body Dementia awareness.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Pamela’s caregiving experience and its connection to her trauma work
• What Lewy Body Dementia is and how it affects individuals differently from Alzheimer’s
• The impact of trauma on students and teachers, and how trauma lives in the nervous system
• Simple grounding and breathing techniques for educators to use in the classroom
• Strategies for preventing secondary trauma and burnout in teachers
• The relevance of Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score in trauma-informed education

Resources Mentioned:

• Bessel van der Kolk’s “The Body Keeps the Score” – A foundational text on how trauma affects the brain and body.
• Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center: https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/
• YouTube Workshop - Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center’s “Self Care For Caregivers”: Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrUFg_u7zmY
• Documentary: "Facing the Wind" - A film about caregiving and resilience: https://facingthewindfilm.com/

Connect with Us:

• Instagram & Facebook: @ClassroomNarrativesPodcast
• https://lewybodyresourcecenter.org/about-us/who-we-are/ (Lewy Body resource Center board members)
• Don’t forget to leave a comment or review wherever you listen to podcasts!

In this deeply moving episode of Classroom Narratives: Healing and Education, host Joey Weisler is joined by Charlene and Richie Schwarzkopf, who recount their experiences surrounding the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Richie provides a firsthand account of being at One Liberty Plaza, across from the World Trade Center, while Charlene shares how her home video, The Days After 9/11 (find link in show notes), served as a tool for both personal healing and collective memory.

This episode explores the complexities of trauma, memory, and healing, drawing on key theoretical frameworks from trauma scholars Shoshana Felman and Dori Laub, as well as Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel. Felman and Laub’s theories emphasize the importance of bearing witness to trauma—both as a survivor and as someone who listens to and records those stories. Wiesel’s work further highlights how narratives from traumatic events can transform readers and viewers into “witnesses to the witness,” offering a unique perspective on how individuals process and share pain.

SHOW NOTES:

• The Days After 9/11 by Charlene Schwarzkopf Watch here
• Night by Elie Wiesel
• Testimony: Crises of Witnessing in Literature, Psychoanalysis, and History by Shoshana Felman and Dori Laub
• Narrative Medicine in the classroom
• The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, administered by the CDC, provides medical monitoring and treatment for health conditions related to the 9/11 attacks. This program is available to responders, survivors, and workers who were exposed to the harmful effects of the attacks, offering care for physical and mental health conditions, including respiratory diseases and PTSD. It supports affected individuals across the U.S. through a network of healthcare providers and focuses on ensuring comprehensive, lifelong care.For more information, visit WTC Health Program

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Monica Langer, a licensed mental health counselor from New York City, to explore the critical need for trauma-informed practices in schools. Monica shares her personal journey, reflecting on her own challenges as a student and now as a counselor. She reveals the profound impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students’ mental health, the increase in anxiety disorders, and the coping mechanisms that can make a difference in post-pandemic education. Tune in to learn about essential strategies for supporting students emotionally, fostering resilience, and collaborating effectively with teachers to address mental health in the classroom.

Key Points and Takeaways:

1. Monica’s Journey – Monica discusses her background, from her struggles as a student in school to becoming a licensed mental health counselor. She highlights how her own experiences with mental health inspired her work today.
2. The Impact of COVID-19 on Students' Mental Health – Monica emphasizes the rise in anxiety disorders, particularly health and social anxiety among students, following the pandemic. She explores how these anxieties manifest in the classroom.
3. Coping Strategies for Students – Discussion on effective techniques Monica uses with her students, including grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method, breathing exercises, and the butterfly hug.
4. The Role of School Mental Health Providers – Monica elaborates on the importance of having mental health professionals in schools and the collaborative relationship between counselors and teachers to address students’ social and emotional needs.
5. Overcoming Social Anxiety in Classrooms – Practical strategies for helping students who avoid social situations, including advocating with teachers and promoting assertiveness skills among students.
6. Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services – Monica highlights the challenges counselors face in reaching every student due to time constraints and the limitations set by academic performance metrics.
7. Transition to a Clinical Setting – Monica shares her decision to move from working in schools to becoming a pediatric clinician, emphasizing her passion for direct counseling work.
8. Message to Educators and Administrators – Monica calls for schools to prioritize mental health resources, advocating for more support from administration, better spaces for confidential counseling, and increased recognition of the counselor’s role.
9. **TO CONTACT MONICA LANGER:**mblanger11@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-langer-lmhc-0b6324b0/
10. #MentalHealthInSchools #TraumaInformedEducation #ChildCounseling #CopingStrategiesForKids #PostPandemicEducation #SocialAnxiety #SchoolCounselors #StudentMentalHealth #ResilienceInEducation #TraumaRecovery

In this compelling episode, Dr. Patrick Zwosta, a scholar of English and film studies, joins Joey to explore the intersection of trauma, narrative healing, and education. Drawing from his research on 1980s action films and themes like nuclear threat and consumerism, Patrick shares how pop culture and literature offer unique tools to foster resilience and emotional growth in the classroom. Discover how teachers can embrace trauma-informed practices and use storytelling to create meaningful change. Don’t miss this powerful discussion on burnout, healing, and the transformative power of film and writing.

SHOW NOTES:

#TheMetamorphosis: Kafka’s The Metamorphosis symbolizes isolation, alienation, and transformation. Patrick and Joey discuss Gregor Samsa’s transformation into an insect as a metaphor for the emotional and mental changes trauma survivors face. They explore how difficult it is to reconnect with society after these fundamental changes.

#WizardOfOz: The Wizard of Oz parallels the human experience of loneliness and the search for belonging while pursuing dreams. Dorothy’s journey from isolation in Kansas to finding community in Oz serves as a metaphor for trauma survivors seeking reconnection and fulfilling their goals.

#BackToTheFuture: Joey and Patrick reinterpret Back to the Future as a narrative about family trauma and the desire to heal generational wounds. Marty McFly’s efforts to change the past mirror the challenges trauma survivors face in trying to repair broken relationships and heal old scars. The episode emphasizes the long-term impact of trauma across generations.

#Terminator: In Terminator, the future is both a dystopia and a call for healing in the present. Patrick highlights how the film reflects fears about technology isolating humanity, and the emotional weight trauma survivors often carry. The film offers a cautionary tale but also hope, illustrating the possibility of healing and changing the future.

Carole Deletiner’s Research: The episode references Carole Deletiner’s work on trauma and isolation. She emphasizes how trauma can separate individuals from their communities and sense of self, but narrative medicine offers a way to heal and reconnect through storytelling.

#Isolation, #Loneliness, #Reconnection: These three themes run through the stories and real-life experiences of trauma survivors. Patrick and Joey discuss how film and writing provide a path for rediscovering lost parts of oneself and how storytelling bridges the gap between isolation and community.

#RaeganEra Influence: The 1980s political and social climate, particularly during the Reagan era, fostered the rise of dystopian films like Terminator, reflecting societal trauma and uncertainty about the future. Patrick notes how these films function as a response to trauma, urging viewers to confront difficult truths.

#CautionaryTales: Films like The Wizard of Oz, Back to the Future, and The Terminator serve as cautionary tales, warning audiences about the consequences of ignoring trauma, whether personal, familial, or societal. Joey and Patrick discuss the importance of addressing trauma before it becomes too overwhelming.

In this first episode of Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, host Joey Weisler introduces himself and shares his personal journey as a teacher navigating the modern educational landscape. Joey reflects on the anticipation and excitement of becoming an educator, alongside the realities of burnout, school trauma, and the healing that comes through informed and compassionate teaching.

This solo episode sets the stage for future conversations, with Joey exploring what it means to be a teacher in today’s complex world, and how educators can use narrative, vulnerability, and trauma-informed practices to not only survive but thrive in the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

• The personal motivations behind starting Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education
• Joey’s own experiences with teacher burnout and how he overcame it
• Introduction to trauma-informed education and why it's essential for both educators and students
• Reflections on the power of storytelling as a healing tool in education

What to Expect in Future Episodes: This episode kicks off a series of conversations with educators, mental health professionals, and students on the frontlines of educational transformation. Stay tuned for interviews with special guests and real-world stories that highlight the critical changes needed in classrooms today.

Join the Conversation: We’d love to hear from you! Share your own stories of resilience, challenges, or reflections on teaching by connecting with us on social media or leaving a review. Your voice matters in this community of educators.

REFERENCES: Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland FL, mass violence, suicide, burnout, trauma-informed education, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Kathryn Stockett's "The Help", Edgar Allen Poe's "El Dorado", Dr. Seuss's "I Had Trouble in Finding my Way To Solla Sollew", Lisa Tyler "Narratives of Pain" (1999 article)

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