Jill Herman, founding principal of East Side Community H.S, now at Bank Street College, raises essential questions: To whom should a principal be accountable? How can social emotional learning and academics be integrated? What do we mean by an ethical school?

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:37:00

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Overview

00:00-00:42 Intros

00:43-05:42 How to foster relationships that contribute to an ethical school

05:43-09:57 What is SEL and how can it be incorporated into school culture?

09:58-15:17 Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Framework

15:18-20:52 Defining “culture” and “culturally responsive”

20:53-28:22 Protecting an ethical school within a bureaucracy

28:23-31:57 Principal selection processes

31:58-34:22 Helping principal candidates decide if they really want to be principals

34:23-36:07 Characteristics of good professional development

36:08-37:00 Outro

Transcription

Click here to see the full transcription of this episode.

Credits:

Soundtrack by Podington Bear

Photo by Robert Stevens on Foursquare

Keith Hefner and Betsy Cohen of Youth Communication discuss their 40-year-old organization. Professional editors help students develop personal stories, which are shared with their peers. Writers experience self-reflection, readers develop empathy and gain strength from knowing others’ experiences, and teachers acquire better understanding of their students. Youth Communication also offers curricula and materials for teachers to implement.

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:40:30

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References

Youth Communication provides free resources based on true stories by NYC teens to support remote learning. They Include: 

Information about their professional development and curriculum offerings can be found in this Partnership Brochure.

Overview

00:00-00:41 Intros

00:42-01:40 Why Youth Communication exists and how it works

01:42-03:52 The stories’ effects on peers

03:53-11:27 The writing and editing process

11:28-13:39 How editors work students who want to write something that is bigoted

13:40-18:00 Looking through an ethical lens

18:01-20:31 How teachers use YC programs and materials

20:32-24:28 How teachers gain insight into the lived experiences of their students

24:29-30:06 Challenges teachers face in implementing the program

30:07-32:04 Role of principals/administrators

32:05-39:07 How the program helps teens with grief and isolation during pandemic

39:08-40:30 Outro 

Transcript

Click here to see the full transcription of the episode. 

Credits

Soundtrack by Podington Bear

Photo: Youth Communication (Facebook)

Cynthia Trapanese, a teacher who spent 17 years as a pediatric chaplain, observes that we are all grieving right now, and that adults need to be aware of their own feelings of loss in order to help children and families effectively. During this period of isolation, children miss not only extended family, especially grandparents, but also their friends, classrooms, and the details of their school days. The impact of prolonged separation from school will be long-lasting. Cynthia is holding webinars for teachers and parents, and shares tips and resources with us.

References

Overview

00:00-01:05 Intros

01:06-02:05 Defining “loss”

02:05-03:37 Helping children stay connected while in physical isolation

03:37-05:36 Examples of what loss looks like in children’s lives

05:36-07:21 Responding to children’s expressions of how they are feeling

07:22-08:43 The importance of not trying to “fix”

08:43-10:52 Losses layered onto other Adverse Childhood Experiences

10:52-13:25 When adults don’t have answers

13:26-15:15 Being helpful to children when adults themselves are grieving and frightened

15:15-17:35 How the New School of SF is supporting teachers and parents how other schools can support teachers

17:35-20:32 Parents’ concern about students keeping up with academics during this time

20:32-22:06 How this experience  can help reflection about the most important aspects of education

22:07-24:52 How teaching at Institute for Humane Education (IHE) impacts thoughts on the pandemic and impact on children

24:53-26:18 Integrating humane education about animals into 1st grade teaching

26:18-28:08 Integrating IHE “solutionaries” program into 1st grade

28:08-29:30 Outro

Transcription

Click here to see the full transcription of the episode. 

Credits

Soundtrack by Podington Bear

Photo by Janko Ferlic from Pexels

Dr. Heather C. Hill of Harvard Graduate School of Education looks at the research on culturally responsive education and SEL programs. She examines components of successful professional development programs, and how they apply to SEL and CRE. Well-designed curricula give teachers a framework on which to build and perhaps self-reflect. Daily classroom practices that build trust and engagement are important. Even if the professional development is high quality and teachers embrace the strategies, principal leadership and support is critical for learned practices to continue over time.

The post Culturally responsive practice and SEL: Effective professional development and programs first appeared on Ethical Schools.

Diana MTK Autin, parent advocacy leader, describes how distance learning fails to meet the needs of many students and exacerbates inequities. She leads several organizations that help parents advocate effectively for their own families and also for systemic change. The pandemic's impacts are likely to be felt by students for a long time, and unless students' rights are defended, long-standing legal protections may be weakened with devastating effects.

The post Vulnerable students’ needs and rights in pandemic: Threats and opportunities first appeared on Ethical Schools.