Heather Martin, a survivor of the Columbine shooting, faced unexpected trauma during college, leading her to drop out. Now a high school English teacher, she prioritizes creating a safe space for students and empowering them to cope with trauma. Martin also serves as the executive director of The Rebels Project, supporting survivors of mass tragedies. She incorporates trauma-informed practices into her teaching, such as grounding techniques and modeling healing journeys. Martin’s approach is deeply influenced by her own experiences, including feeling unseen in school and her ongoing journey of recovery. She emphasizes the importance of home visits to connect with students’ families and celebrate their achievements.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2024/04/10/colorado-teacher-columbine-high-school-survivor-trauma
