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Literature as a Lifeline: Building Resilience and Healing Through Trauma-Informed Teaching with Colleen Crisan
Season 1 Episode 9
LISTENER'S NOTE: THIS EPISODE INCLUDES EXPLICIT CONTENT
Show Notes
- Introduction Joey introduces Colleen Crisan, a trauma-informed educator with nearly 20 years of experience, who taught near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Parkland tragedy.
- Early Teaching Experiences Colleen shares insights from her early teaching days, emphasizing the importance of adapting literature choices to connect with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Trauma-Informed Practices Colleen discusses using literature like A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park to help students empathize and understand new perspectives, especially following events like the Parkland tragedy.
- Mental Health and Resilience in Schools Joey and Colleen highlight the shift toward resilience training in schools, which now includes meditation, stress management, and well-being clubs for students and teachers alike.
- Literature for Healing Books like A Long Walk to Water and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck play a key role in helping students process emotions, relate to characters, and engage in meaningful classroom discussions.
- Advice for Educators Colleen encourages teachers to use data and research to support trauma-informed practices and to focus on the “whole child” for a balanced education.
- Community Initiatives Colleen discusses "Read On with Mrs. Crisan," her literacy project aimed at providing families with books on resilience and healing:
- Read On with Mrs. Crisan on Facebook
- Read On with Mrs. Crisan on Instagram She also partners with Deliver the Dream to support families facing crises:
- Deliver the Dream Website
- Final Takeaway Colleen’s advice: know your students, enjoy them, and always keep a sense of humor.
Published on 1 year ago