Why and When to Use This Strategy

Make meaningful progress toward your Integrated Plan

What is a story circle?

A story circle is a small group of individuals in a circle, sharing stories — usually from their own experiences or imagination — focusing on a common theme. As each person, in turn, shares a story, a richer and more complex story evolves. Story circles build perspective, empathy, cultural humility, listening, courage, vulnerability, and healing.

Why use story circles?

Story circles are an engagement and leadership development process in which each participant listens to and shares authentic stories. The process provides a comfortable, welcoming setting for participants to share experiences, learn from and encourage one another, build relationships and solve problems.

Story circles create meaningful community among educators and families. This approach to community engagement focuses on the powerful — often healing — impact that storytelling has in relationship building. It can be a very effective communication tool, leading to stronger classrooms, schools and communities.

Importantly, collecting many stories eliminates the risk of relying on a single narrative and builds awareness and understanding between community members. Each person shares their own personal experiences. These experiences form who we are, how we relate to others, and how we navigate the world. Sharing stories strengthens relationships that value human connectedness, demonstrates that meaningful relationships are intimately tied to success, and creates school communities where people feel known and cared for.