Paper Tigers – A Film Viewing and Discussion

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. ACEs can include violence, abuse, and growing up in a family with mental health or substance use problems. Toxic stress from ACEs can change brain development and affect how the body responds to stress. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse in adulthood.

The documentary Paper Tigers is an intimate look into the lives of students attending an alternative school specializing in educating traumatized youth. The film examines the inspiring promise of Trauma Informed Communities – a movement showing great promise in healing youth struggling with the dark legacy of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

About the film: Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington was the last stop for students who struggled to fit in and succeed in traditional school settings. When a new principal took over, he changed the focus of the school to become trauma-informed – to identify students who were fighting battles outside the walls of the school building and to help them find the resources they need to succeed, to become resilient. It worked. Learning outcomes improved dramatically. Graduation rates increased tremendously. The expulsion rate plummeted. Jamie Redford made a documentary film about the school’s success. Learn more about the film here.

If you are a WEAC member interested in showing the Paper Tigers movie in your area and hosting a discussion afterward, please add this to your cart. You will then be given access to materials; The WEA Academy will provide you with the film, a facilitator and/or a facilitator’s guide, a customized flyer, and a press release if you’d like to use one. A minimum of 10 attendees required to facilitate a showing.

Paper Tigers Trailer