Educators around the country are struggling to handle hyper-sensitive conversations that are spilling into to the classroom. Race, sex, scandals, lies and unprecedented incivility has many educators trapped in a vise. Some teachers want to avoid these discussions at all costs. Others say silence is not an option.

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Patrick Riccards is a father and author of Dadprovement. He is the chief communications and strategy officer for the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. He is CEO and blogger for Eduflack, as well as a partner in Collaborative Communications Group.