Thank you for bringing your ears right here for episode 10 of CALM Conversations about Learning where we lean in to re-envision our children’s education with and for the folks who matter most: teachers, parents and of course, our young folks!

This week’s conversation is with Renise Washington. Formerly a Special Education teacher, Renise is now the Employee Wellness Specialist for Manchester Public Schools in Connecticut and has been doing her part in healing educator-to-educator and educator-to-student relationships for five years as the Restorative Practices coordinator for the district. Last year she returned to school, as she aspires to become a therapist. 

Renise is also my daughter from another mother and I wanted her on the show to share her insights about building restorative schools and communities, as well as being self-restorative. In addition, she schools me about Cancel Culture and its complexities.

But most importantly, Renise fills this episode with sooo much love, light and hope. 

So, lean in and get yourself some!

Chunks & Nuggets Worth Summarizing: 

• It is important for students to be in relationship with their teachers.
• “Trauma grows you up.”
• “Teachers control the weather.”
• “This is a hard time to be well.”
• Let the first year of teacher programs be about doing the personal work, the human work.
• The Pandemic revealed the void where community belongs in schools.
• Self-love and our refusal to “feel like poo” is critical to our well-being.
• Teachers must become proactive about their well-being, their relationships and their joy.
• Assigning homework is a form of inequity.

Some Synthesizing and Internalizing:

•  Educators: 
  • There can be no real educating, if there is no real relating. Children need to know that they can trust you and that you see them. (I will rinse and repeat this sentiment until it’s bone dry.)
  • Stop asking for hacks and strategies to learn how to be human with our children. Instead, learn to become reflective educators who are brave enough to do the deeper work of unpacking your baggage and discovering what’s holding back your hearts.
  • Self-compassion begets compassion for others, so take care of yourselves.
  • Let the work be meaningful- for both you and the babies. 

You can follow Renise on Instagram @mz.washington18. 

References from the Conversation:

1. Calvin Terrell, founder/director of Social Centric Institute
2. Yolo Akili Robinson Founder & CEO of Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)

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