My Healing Journey
Presented By: Dr. Jaime Romo,
educator, author and organizational
consultant
Imaginal cells
Johari Window
Public
Blind
Private
Hidden
Granddad and Grandma
• Quien?
• Quieres cacahuates?
• No seas indio.
K-12 in N.E. LA
College as escape: Storming
Adult/ identity: Forming
Professional Identity: Norming
• M.Ed., UCLA, 1998; Ed.D. USD
1998
– “Voices Against Exclusion
and Discrimination: Latino
School Leaders’ Narratives
for Change”
• Romo, J. & Salerno, C. (2000).
Toward Cultural Democracy: The
Journey from Knowledge to
Action in Diverse Classrooms.
• Romo, J., Bradfield, P., &
Serrano, R. (2004). Co-editors
Reclaiming Democracy:
Multicultural Educators’
Journeys toward Transformative
Teaching.
Teaching Teachers: Performing
• University of San Diego
Department of Learning and
Teaching, Border Pedagogy
• (2005). Border Pedagogy from the
inside out: an autoethnographic
study. Journal of Latinos and
Education.
• (2008). Experience and Context in
the Making of a Chicano Activist.
In The High School Journal, April/
May. Reprinted, San Francisco:
Left Coast Press
Traumatic Transformation
• Diagnosed with Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, 2005
• Romo, J. (2007). In Crosses:
Portraits of Clergy Abuse,”
Carmine Galasso (Ed.) New York:
Trolley Books.
• Took medical leave of absence,
2006
• Intensive treatment, spiritual
reconstruction
• Became member of Pilgrim UCC,
Carlsbad
Hurting to Healing to Helping
Anger
Revenge
Hatred/ rage
Jealousy
Insecurity,
guilt,
unworthiness
Frustration,
irritation,
impatience
Overwhelm
Disappointment
Doubt
Worry
Fear, grief,
depression,
Blame
despair,
powerlessness
Optimism
Hopefulness
Contentment
Boredom
Pessimism
Joy,
knowledge,
empowerment
freedom, love
appreciation
Passion
Enthusiasm,
eagerness,
happiness
Positive
expectations,
belief
Optimism
What has helped?
•Break silence (journal,
group)
•Connecting with
community/ family
•Anger into action
•New life (spiritual)
•Use experience to help
others (TIR)
•Journey/ discovery/ rediscovery
I- ll
We-ll
Past
Help kids who are poor/ hungry (education as social justice vehicleteaching, admin, teacher ed)
Chiapas, roots, multicultural ed/ border pedagogy
School safe placeKids play soccer, bonding with my kids
Seminary, then lay leader, Catholic University/ social justice
2002, explosion
Church
Abuse
Poor/ Hungry
Latino (grandmother, rosary, service,
Spanish, respeto, extended family)
Violent alcoholic dad  School safe place/
achievement
Soccer (escape, travel, dad activity)
Church
Abuse
Present
Future
Now: Integration/ synthesis/ creating something new
Help kids/ adults who have experienced sexual abuse/ social justice
(teaching/ writing books, course)
Commissioned Minister for Healing and Healthy Environments
Promoting healing/ ending abuse in organizations
Wounded healer- explorer/ pioneer, legacy of healing, effective
educator/ change agent
Trauma Incident Reduction facilitator
SAMHSA consultant/ trainer
Crisis: Danger + Opportunity
• There is problem- widespread trauma, abuse,
denial, impact (consequences if untreated)
• There is a solution, beginning with survivorsrecognize experience, reconcile, integrate,
transform beginning with selves
• Opportunity to break silence and learn with
others, wherever in the continuum: victim->
thriver
Physician, heal thyself
• Who am I?
• What do I want?
• What is my
purpose? How
can I serve?
Action
(Body)
Desire
(Spirit)
Memory
(Mind)
“If you bring forth that which is within
you, then that which is within you
will be your salvation. If you do not
bring forth that which is within you,
then that which is within you will
destroy you.”
–From the Gnostic Gospels
Haim Ginot
“I’ve come to a frightening conclusion that I am
the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my
personal approach that creates the climate.
…I can humiliate or heal. In all situations, it is
my response that decides whether a crisis
will be escalated or de-escalated and a child
humanized or dehumanized.”
Our deepest fear
• It's not just in some of us, it's in
everyone. And as we let our own light
shine, we unconsciously give other
people permission to do the same. As
we are liberated from our own fear, our
presence automatically liberates others.