Literature as a Lifeline: Building Resilience and Healing Through Trauma-Informed Teaching with Colleen Crisan

LISTENER'S NOTE: THIS EPISODE INCLUDES EXPLICIT CONTENT Show NotesIntroduction 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 FacebookRead On with Mrs. Crisan on Instagram She also partners with Deliver the Dream to support families facing crises:Deliver the Dream WebsiteFinal Takeaway Colleen’s advice: know your students, enjoy them, and always keep a sense of humor.