Teaching Through Trauma: Dr. Joey Weisler’s Story of Purpose and Perseverance (Part 1)

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part conversation, Mark sits down with Dr. Joey Weisler to explore the deeply personal experiences that shaped his path as an educator.

Before Joey ever had his own classroom, he found himself at the center of a community tragedy. While substitute teaching at a middle school next to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during the Parkland school shooting, he and his students were forced into lockdown as the devastating events unfolded nearby.

Joey shares what that moment was like inside the classroom, the emotional weight educators carry during crisis, and how witnessing trauma within a school community changed the way he understood teaching, safety, and the emotional lives of students.

The conversation also explores the difficult reality many teachers face when students reveal deep struggles—and how systems sometimes fail to respond with the urgency and compassion those moments require.

This episode is an honest and moving discussion about trauma, responsibility, and the human side of teaching.

It’s also the beginning of a larger story—one that continues in Part 2, where Joey shares how these experiences ultimately reshaped his career and inspired a new vision for education.

In This Episode

1. Joey’s connection to the Parkland tragedy and what it was like teaching during that moment
2. How trauma can shape a teacher’s mindset before their career even begins
3. The emotional responsibility teachers feel when students confide in them
4. The gap that sometimes exists between student needs and school systems
5. Why being present for students can matter more than any lesson plan
6. The early experiences that would eventually influence Joey’s philosophy of teaching

🎙️ Listen to Part 1 now, and don’t miss Part 2 of this powerful conversation.

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Connection

01:40Perseverance in Education

05:01The Impact of Trauma on Teaching

11:56Navigating the Aftermath of Tragedy

16:28Experiencing the Shooting

21:38The Aftermath and Support Systems

28:32Navigating Trauma in Education

31:26The Impact of Personal Experience on Teaching

1. Joey Weisler's Website
2. The Throne in the Classroom (Book & Trailer)
3. Classroom Narratives Podcast
4. 10 Steps to Trauma-Informed Teaching (Guide)
5. Emotionally Equipped Educator (Book)
6. Heart Framework (Upcoming Book)

Dr Weisler links

1. Website

specialedrising.com

https://www.gofundme.com/f/join-rays-respite-care-mission