Racial and Social Justice Supports for Educators
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Educators Advocacy for Students
Establish a Socially and Emotionally Safe Space for Learning
- Create a WELCOMING/INCLUSIVE Ritual/Rhythm daily
- Check-in and Community Building that honors how people are showing up and connecting to each other (ex: Mood Meter or Circles)
- Embed BRAIN BREAKS and MINDFULNESS PRACTICES throughout your lesson (include links in your Google Classroom or use Remind Text to encourage regular brain breaks throughout the day)
- End each class/lesson with a meaningful Optimistic Closure- Hope is important for resiliency (embed a prompt in Google Classroom for reflection)
- See ideas for here
- If all you do tomorrow for class is hold a Zoom circle to process emotions and world events, it would have been a very good day of distance learning. If you don’t know what or how to do this, here’s a short version:
- Do a short opening telling students you care about them. If you are comfortable using the word “love” then say it.
- Say you want to suspend regular class to hold a time for sharing and talking about what is going on. Talk less in this class, listen more.
- Do a round of ” una palabra” – the one word to capture how you feel.
- Double a round of “share what is on your heart” about all of this. You might have to go first to model.
- Ask students what they feel like they want from school when this is over or how school could help with situations like this.
- Thank you, reiterate how much you care.
- Repeat una palabra.
- Repeat #6 and dismiss class.
#racialhealingallies (Shared by Dr. Elysse Versher, AP West Campus)
Be Trauma-Informed
- Maintain routines and norms-Predictability is important for safety!
- Withhold judgment. No matter our beliefs, it’s our job to make sure our students feel safe, supported and valued.
- Understand yourself, and recognize your own beliefs, privileges and responses.
- Use active listening skills – ask clarifying questions, seek to understand rather than respond.
- Validate students experiences and feelings.
- Talk with students 1:1 regarding behavior concerns – avoid discipline approaches that give way to shaming. (Call or schedule 1:1 zoom check-ins)
- Balance normal school expectations with flexibility. Consider postponing large tests or projects that require extensive energy and concentration following significant events.
- 4 Priorities for Trauma Informed Teaching During Distance Learning
Recognize Students in Need
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Notice any student who may need more support. Notice changes in behavior, academics, social interactions, and attendance and get help if concerned.
- Refer to your school’s Student Support Center
- Schools without Student Support Centers may refer to the school counselor and/or to the Connect Center to help link students/families with available community resources
- General Community Resource list
- Identify systems that serve as a barrier to student wellness.
- Create action plan with student to challenge barriers
- Encourage student to use mental health counseling supports
Model Humility, Vulnerability & Courage
- As you discuss difficult issues about race, be open to learning something new – especially from your students. Approach conversation with a goal of learning and understanding, not persuading or convincing.
- Consider context – Be mindful of the social and historical context and approach conversations with an awareness of your own privilege.
- Be willing to acknowledge that you might be wrong! Understand that we all have implicit biases that determine how we perceive the world.
- Get comfortable with discomfort because concepts about race and trauma are difficult to discuss. We cannot avoid the discussions, instead we can have compassion for others through mindful engagement.
- Guide on How to Facilitate Critical Conversations
Resources for Student Support
SEL Resources
3 SEL Signature Practices for Distance Learning
Mindfulness Resources
Virtual Calming Room: for all grades and adults
Mindful Breathe.Move.Rest: Free curriculum for all grades and adults
Mindful Schools Free Classes for Kids: for Grades K-5
Free Headspace App: for Grades 6-12 and adults
Racial and Social Justice Resources
Teaching for Tolerance lessons
Facing History and Ourselves lessons on Race and Policing
3 SEL Skills You Need to Talk About Race