Imagine a classroom where every student feels truly seen and heard, and where their voices, backgrounds, and experiences shape their learning journeys. This is the goal of humanizing pedagogy — an approach that views students as whole people, and not just as academic performers. Rooted in the work of Paulo Freire and Maria del Carmen Salazar, humanizing pedagogy emphasizes the value of students’ lived experiences, histories, and identities. Freire describes this as recognizing students as “fully human” rather than “reduced to things,” while Salazar calls for teaching that respects students’ personal and cultural knowledge. One powerful way to bring this philosophy to life is through storytelling, where students share their own stories, creating a classroom culture of empathy, connection, and relevance.
Allowing students to tell their own stories helps cultivate a classroom culture where every voice matters. For example, in a history class, students can be encouraged to share family stories that relate to the historical period being studied. Perhaps a student’s grandparent has a memory of the Civil Rights Movement, or maybe someone has a family connection to a recent migration story. These personal insights add depth to the lesson while allowing students to bring their backgrounds and experiences into the learning process. When students contribute in this way, they are not only connecting with the material but also sharing pieces of themselves with their peers, fostering empathy and understanding.
Creating space for storytelling doesn’t require overhauling the curriculum; it can be woven into everyday interactions. Simple prompts like “Has anyone had a similar experience?” or “Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge like this?” can invite students to reflect on their lives in relation to the lesson. As they share, they learn to connect academic concepts to real-world experiences. These moments can be powerful, making abstract ideas more concrete and encouraging students to see themselves within the subject matter.
For storytelling to truly humanize the classroom, it’s essential to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing. Establishing norms around respectful listening is key. Encourage students to listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and show appreciation for their peers’ stories. Modeling openness yourself by sharing personal anecdotes related to the lesson can also set the tone, demonstrating that everyone’s stories have value. This builds trust and shows that the classroom is a safe space for authentic expression.
Storytelling as a teaching tool may seem simple, but it can profoundly shift classroom dynamics. By giving students space to share their experiences, you invite them to connect with each other, deepen their understanding of the material, and feel valued as whole people. In this way, storytelling is more than just a technique; it is a pathway to humanizing pedagogy, helping students see themselves as active participants in their learning journey.