HomeAbstract of 11th-icetlIt Is More Important to Be Interested: Vulnerability, Story, And the Reimagining of School Culture

It Is More Important to Be Interested: Vulnerability, Story, And the Reimagining of School Culture

  • Jul 7, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Research in Education, Teaching and Learning

Year: 2026

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It Is More Important to Be Interested: Vulnerability, Story, And the Reimagining of School Culture

Kimberly Bartling

ABSTRACT:

“The most important day we’ve ever had.” This is a common reflection from students at the end of a Humanity Launch retreat.
A student sits in a circle, eyes down, voice shaking. Then, almost in a whisper: “I didn’t think anyone else felt this way.” In that moment, something shifts—from isolation to connection, from silence to belonging.
In an educational landscape marked by increasing student anxiety, social disconnection, and performance pressure, schools are being called to address not only academic outcomes but also the human need for connection and meaning. The Humanity Launch responds through an experiential, empirical, retreat-based model that centers vulnerability as a teachable and transformative skill. Drawing on principles from social-emotional learning, relational pedagogy, and identity development, this work positions belonging as a precursor to engagement and achievement.
Through storytelling, music, and structured “Communication Circles,” students practice authentic expression and active listening, guided by a central principle: it is more important to be interested than interesting. Peer-led mentorship further amplifies this work, as upperclassmen model courage, empathy, and leadership for younger students.
Organized around four thematic retreats—Be a Light, You Matter, Why Not? What If?, and Where the Wild Things Are—the program addresses fear, inclusion, identity, mental health, and the universal desire to matter. Qualitative outcomes include increased student participation, stronger peer empathy, and consistent feedback that students feel more connected, seen, and supported within their school communities.
Blending narrative, student voice, and implementation insights, this session offers both a compelling story and a scalable framework for educators seeking to cultivate school cultures where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to connect—with themselves and with others.

Keywords: Vulnerability, Mental Health, Courage, Storytelling, Inclusion, EQ, Active Listening