Teachers worried about what you're going to say to students about events of the past week; Here's what you can do. (1/?)

Pre-conv prep.

1) Prepare yourself with credible resources and information. Be ready with contact information from your counseling colleagues and other professionals with training on how to handle this. You aren't in this alone.

2)Assess/know your own limits. If you are a white teacher addressing students of color, AVOID statements like, "I know what you're going through" and avoid metaphors that trivialize the situation or students feelings.

3)Anticipate how you might react to a student that is scared, traumatized, or crying. It's important you validate these feelings. DO NOT say "It's going to be okay." You don't know if that's true, and it's dismissive.

Conversation starts:

4) Focus more on listening than talking. Your first, second, and third job is to simply listen to their questions, concerns, and feelings. You can't know how to help if you don't first listen to students.

5) It may be hard for students to express their feelings. That's common for everyone. Give them time to think. When they say something, pause before you respond, they may have more to say and you don't want to cut them off.

6) Be sure to let the student know you appreciate that they have shared their concerns/questions with you. Opening up to an adult can be really hard.

7) Also, let them know that you don't have all the answers. These are challenging times that take collective action, big and small.

8) Let the student know there are a lot of people that care about them, and that is important that you include them in this conversation. This enables you to communicate back with parents w/out the student feeling like you've gone behind their back.

After the conversation:

9) Communicate back to parents. Start by simply giving the gist and letting them know that are here to support them and their child in whatever capacity they need.

10) Give the student some time, but be sure to follow-up. This is huge. It communicates that these issues are important to you, and that you really do care.

There's a lot more to do and to avoid in these conversations. This is just a quick start guide. I welcome additions from anyone w/ experience and expertise in such things.

I highly recommend following @TrevonDLogan, @DocRose12, @TPLaSalle @DrDorindaCA, @DanielDNilsson, @django_paris, @PedroANoguera, and @RPSEdImpact for starters.