Healing Through Storytelling: Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms
On this deeply moving episode of Stress-Free IEP, host Frances Shefter welcomes Dr. Joey Weisler—a trauma studies scholar, educator, and creator of Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education. His work, rooted in his personal experiences growing up in Parkland, Florida, especially after the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, explores how storytelling and empathy can transform classrooms into spaces of healing.
From Tragedy to Purpose
Dr. Weisler’s journey began in the very community affected by the MSD tragedy. He was a substitute teacher at a neighboring middle school on the day of the mass shooting. The close physical and emotional proximity to the event shaped his perspective as both an educator and a human being. He later returned to teach in that community, confronting not only the trauma of the students but also the unprocessed grief of his own, having lost a close friend to suicide just months later.
These experiences led Joey to make a promise to himself—to never miss signs of emotional distress again, to be present and proactive for his students. But doing so revealed a harsh truth: teachers are often placed in impossible positions, torn between doing what’s right emotionally and what’s allowed professionally.
The Emotional Toll on Educators
Joey shared that early in his career, he felt pulled in too many directions. Students who were struggling emotionally came to him, not the school social worker, because they believed he would genuinely listen. But this left him emotionally depleted, questioning how much of a therapist a teacher is supposed to be. He wasn’t trained for this level of emotional labor, yet he felt a moral obligation to be there for his students. It’s a reality many educators face, and a strong argument for systemic reform that better supports both students and teachers.
Frances echoed his sentiment, recalling her own experiences of being told to “just teach,” even when students were clearly not in a place to learn. Both agreed: students can’t absorb lessons if they don’t feel safe.
Trauma-Informed Teaching: Small Changes, Big Impact
Now a university professor teaching ten classes, Dr. Weisler uses storytelling to create trauma-informed classrooms. He encourages students to find their voice by writing and speaking about topics that matter to them, fostering deeper engagement and emotional connection. He shared a powerful example: allowing students to write argumentative essays on topics of personal interest rather than standard assignments like volcanoes.
He also emphasized the importance of choice and flexibility—two key pillars of trauma-informed teaching. Whether it’s a written response, a video, a podcast, or participating in a classroom circle, students are invited (not forced) to contribute in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them.
One memorable example was his use of the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, which explores trauma and silence. While it opens important discussions, Joey is also keenly aware that not every student is ready to engage with such material—and that’s where flexibility comes in again. Students are always given the option to opt out or process their thoughts in alternative formats.
Creativity and the Cost of Standardization
Both Joey and Frances discussed how the rigid structures of the school system can stifle creativity—for both students and teachers. Joey recalled a particularly demoralizing moment when his principal criticized him for being “behind” the pacing guide. It made him question the value of his creativity and passion. Why hire teachers with advanced degrees and training only to force them to follow scripts?
He believes learning becomes more meaningful when students are allowed to care about what they’re learning. A passionate, authentic paper—even if it’s not perfect—shows far more growth than a robotic, high-scoring one. In fact, Joey says he often grades more generously when he sees effort and heart, because that’s where true learning lives.
Frances added that IEPs often fail to individualize because they simply regurgitate the Common Core standards. Instead, goals should be tied to where the student actually is and how best to support them in getting where they need to be.
The Emotional Lives of Teachers
Joey’s storytelling project The Throne in the Classroom and his podcast Classroom Narratives are aimed at shining a light on the emotional lives of teachers. He described the disconnect between the Hollywood image of the “superhero teacher” and the real emotional toll of teaching post-tragedy.
He was disillusioned to find that the glamorous vision he had growing up—being celebrated by students and faculty alike—was far from reality. He left his last classroom job abruptly, exhausted and unseen. No farewell, no closure. Just another teacher replaced overnight. But that moment became the seed for his ongoing advocacy: how can we help the leader when the leader can’t help themselves?
Reimagining the System
The conversation closed with a powerful truth: teachers enter the profession as passionate pedagogues, yet the system boxes them in. Until school districts, policy makers, and administrators start viewing teachers as creative caregivers rather than miracle workers, meaningful change will remain out of reach.
Joey’s call to action? Lead with empathy. Let students choose how they show what they’ve learned. Normalize failure as part of growth. And above all, acknowledge that both students and teachers carry emotional baggage into the classroom—and that’s okay.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone invested in reimagining education through a trauma-informed lens. Dr. Joey Weisler’s work reminds us that healing and learning can happen side by side—if we have the courage to listen and the flexibility to care.
Learn more about Dr. Weisler’s work:
Dr. Joey Weisler’s website–a one-stop-shop of research and projects https://josephweisler.com/
Joey Weisler’s “The Throne in the Classroom”: Five minute series trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5OBC97H6-Q&t=35s&ab_channel=JosephWeisler
“The Throne in the Classroom”: Extended scene, “Sanctuary of the Outsiders” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0urJDnyVPg&t=7s&ab_channel=JosephWeisler
Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education podcast https://rss.com/podcasts/teachertestimony/
Ten Steps to Trauma-Informed Teaching: A pocket guide by Dr. Joey Weisler
https://site.josephweisler.com/contact
Emotionally Equipped Educator/Conflict Styles Quiz (Designed by Dr. Joey Weisler): https://site.josephweisler.com/quiz-to-low-ticket
