Lake County Gazette

The Moth Radio Hour, a program, podcast, and live-event series featuring everyday people sharing stories about their lives, has developed tools for educators including lesson plans and storytelling guides. These resources aim to help young people share stories, build community, and gain confidence.

This concept resonated with Jessica Asay, a 6th-grade literacy teacher at Tennyson Knolls Preparatory School. She organized a Moth Radio Hour performance in the school library earlier this year after weeks of lessons on story structure and dialogue. More than 30 students completed the assignment, and six volunteered to present their personal adventures live before their peers.

The atmosphere in the TK Prep library was celebratory, complete with snacks brought by students. This created a safe environment for sharing experiences that ranged from learning to ride a bike to more serious topics like bullying and suicide.

“I really wanted to emphasize that they have a story to tell,” said Asay. “It doesn’t have to be these huge life-changing things but just the idea that they have experienced challenges and persevered. ”

One poignant story came from a girl who recounted an experience at her previous school where a friend being bullied took his own life. She became tearful after her presentation, explaining that adults had discouraged her from discussing the traumatic event.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, supportive responses to trauma in children involve allowing them to express sadness or cry and letting them talk or write about the event and their feelings.

Asay confirmed that validating her students’ experiences was key. “It was their story to tell,” she said. “As long as it was class-appropriate, I just really wanted to make sure they know that their stories are valid. ”

Asay herself closed the event by sharing her reluctance towards teaching due to discouraging experiences during her first year as a student teacher. However, an impactful interaction with a difficult student who later passed away reinforced her commitment to teaching.

“That was my moment where I realized,” Asay said through tears. “At least I had done something for that kid. And I wanted to keep doing that for as long as I possibly could. ”

She concluded by telling her students: “If there’s anything I want to tell you, it’s that you have people around you who care about you. ”

Asay hopes these moments of sharing will leave lasting impressions on her students even if specific details fade over time.

If someone is struggling with stress or isolation, resources are available on the Less Stress with WPS website offering therapy access, family support, school counselors list among other services.

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