There is a direct correlation between how many black and brown students have been pushed out of school, with how many black and brown adults are in our criminal justice system. We can no longer perpetuate institutional racism, oppression, and be silent about what's really happening around race in our country. The most important piece in education is the child. I want to tell young people, ‘You are important. You are loved and cared for, and I'm here to fight and help you reach your highest potential.’
Several years ago, I was frustrated with my own district’s discipline policies, and so I led an effort to persuade the district to incorporate restorative practices into its Student Behavior Handbook and host restorative practices professional development training for educators.
If schools continue to enforce punitive discipline policies, schools will never provide equitable learning environments for all our students. I realized I was contributing to the school to prison pipeline and once I realized that, I started to devote my time to dismantle it. First, I started with me and then by training other educators.
There has been progress—but what I’m seeing as school systems take up the fight, many tend to push out programs and initiatives that are rushed and don’t take the time to properly explore where and what the needs are. We have to be deliberate and intentional in our work, regardless of how long it may take.
We need to acknowledge the realities our students face—all voices need to be at the table. We have to create a space for students to share their stories.
Much of what has contributed to the school to prison pipeline has a lot to do with our implicit basis. We need to work together to talk about these biases and learn where they come from. And be able to check them before they have a chance to surface. Then maybe we can talk more honestly about racism, equity, and social justice and how it affects our students.”
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