I am at the stage in my career when I am starting to realize I am no longer the young teacher. There is no better reality check than running into former students who are now colleagues in the field.
Recently, I was visiting a high school for professional learning when I caught sight of a familiar face in the hallway. I found myself staring a bit too long, trying to place where I knew this familiar woman from. Was she someone I had taught in undergrad? A participant in a previous workshop? Or a student I had taught in middle school? I did not have the time to ask because I was about to lead a session, so I let it go.
At the end of the day, I asked one of the participants if she happened to know the woman I had seen. She did, and the realization hit me. I had indeed taught her years ago. My colleague said she would tell her hello for me, and we both went on with our day.
When I returned for the next session, that same colleague rushed to the front of the room, excited to share a message. My former student had said hello and wanted me to know that she became a teacher, in part, because I once shared my own story with her. She remembered me saying that I had been a special education student and that I became a teacher because my own educators helped me learn in ways that worked for me. That story, she said, stayed with her.
That message became one of the most meaningful moments in my career. It reminded me that we never truly know the impact our words have on others. Sometimes, it is not the advice or instruction we give that matters most, but the stories we share about who we are and why we care.
Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to foster empathy and a sense of belonging in our classrooms. It connects us as humans first. Research supports this idea. Storytelling increases the release of oxytocin, a hormone that enhances feelings of trust and connection between people (Zak, 2014). When educators and students share stories, they create a sense of relational safety, deepen understanding, and make space for authentic engagement.
As we think about creating welcoming and supportive schools, it may begin with this: tell your story. Tell your students why you love what you do, what you have learned from mistakes, or what school was like for you. Invite them to share theirs as well.
You might be surprised by how the smallest story becomes someone else’s spark.
Reflection
What story could you share that helps your students understand why you teach, not just what you teach?
Take and Try | Story Snapshots
Purpose: To create low-pressure opportunities for students and staff to share meaningful moments, build empathy, and strengthen classroom community.
How It Works:
Invite each student (and yourself) to share a short “snapshot story” — a moment that shaped who they are, taught them something about learning, or showed them the power of kindness.
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- Students can write, draw, record audio, or share aloud, depending on their comfort level and learning preference.
- Display the stories (with permission) as part of a “Wall of Humanity” in the classroom or hallway, or compile them digitally using a collaborative platform like Padlet or Flip.
- Close the activity with reflection: What did you learn about someone you didn’t know before? What connects your story to someone else’s?
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Variation Ideas:
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- Quick Start Version: Begin each Friday with one “mini-story” from a volunteer.
- Academic Tie-In: Use storytelling to introduce a new unit or reflect on growth at the end of a project.
- Staff Community Extension: Invite teachers or administrators to contribute a short story about why they chose education to share during staff meetings or newsletters.
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Why It Works
Storytelling promotes emotional connection, increases empathy, and fosters a sense of belonging. When students hear one another’s stories, they begin to see each other through a more compassionate lens, improving collaboration and classroom climate.
Take and Try | Storytelling Showcase
Purpose: To create a classroom experience where students share stories that reveal their interests, experiences, and perspectives, helping everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. The Storytelling Showcase fosters community, deepens empathy, and showcases the diverse voices that comprise a learning environment.
Set the Stage
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- Frame the Why – Begin by sharing with students why storytelling matters. Explain that stories help us understand each other, recognize shared humanity, and build stronger communities.
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- You might say: “We are going to create a space where we can learn about one another through stories. Every person in this room has a story that matters, and when we share them, we grow as a community.”
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- Set Norms Together – Co-create a set of shared agreements for listening and sharing. For Example:
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- We listen with curiosity, not judgment.
- We choose what we share and how we share it.
- We honor one another’s stories by keeping them private unless permission is given to share.
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- Frame the Why – Begin by sharing with students why storytelling matters. Explain that stories help us understand each other, recognize shared humanity, and build stronger communities.
The Process
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- Step 1: Choose the Focus: Invite students to choose one of the following prompts:
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- A moment that changed how I see the world.
- A person who has shaped who I am today.
- A time I learned something the hard way.
- A place that feels like home.
- A story that represents what belonging means to me.
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- Step 2: Design the Story: Students can choose how they tell their story. Encourage multiple means of expression.
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- Written: A short narrative or poem.
- Spoken: A 2–3 minute oral story.
- Artistic: A visual representation (photo essay, collage, or illustrated comic).
- Digital: A short video or recorded audio piece.
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- Step 3: Share the Stories: Host a Storytelling Showcase that can take many forms:
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- A classroom “open mic” style session with music and snacks.
- A hallway gallery walk where visual or written stories are displayed.
- A digital showcase using Flip, Padlet, or a shared slide deck.
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- Step 1: Choose the Focus: Invite students to choose one of the following prompts:
Encourage choice in participation — students can present live, record their story, or share through creative media.
Extend and Reflect
Whole-Class Reflection Questions
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- What surprised you about the stories you heard?
- How did hearing others’ stories change the way you see our class community?
- What connections did you notice between your story and someone else’s?
- How can we continue to make space for storytelling in our learning together?
Educator Reflection Questions
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- How did this showcase impact relationships in your classroom?
- What did you learn about your students that might influence your teaching practice?
- How might you build storytelling into other parts of your curriculum or community events?
Why It Works
Storytelling fosters psychological safety and cultivates empathy, both of which are essential for learning and belonging. When students share their stories, they connect through shared emotions and experiences. According to neuroscientific research, storytelling releases oxytocin, which enhances trust and fosters connection (Zak, 2014).
Sources:
Zak, P. J. (2014). Why inspiring stories make us react: The neuroscience of narrative. Cerebrum: The Dana Foundation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4445577/
