Research shows that how kids feel about being at school impacts their ability to do well at school. It comes down to something pretty simple: Kids need to feel welcome at school and that someone (a teacher) feels invested in their education. During this election cycle there has been an increase in the vitriol and nastiness and the racism, sexism, xenophobia that we and our young people are regularly hearing. The Southern Poverty Law Center has studied Hate in the Race (including the level of vitriol characterizing the contest for the presidency. They’ve also surveyed 2,000 teachers asking them how the presidential campaign was affecting their students and their teaching. According to author and educator, Rosalind Wiseman, “There have always been a couple of kids (in a class) who feel they have the right to insult and offend other kids. But those kids are now clearly emboldened by what they see and hear in the news.” Teachers are instructed not to weigh in for or against any political candidate. So what are they to do to help their students create a culture of dignity? Annie talks to Rosalind about the need for adults to provide standards of morality and ethics for the children in their lives.
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About Rosalind Wiseman (@CultureODignity)
Rosalind Wiseman has had only one job since graduating from college—to help communities shift the way we think about children and teens’ emotional and physical wellbeing. As a teacher, thought leader, author, and media spokesperson on bullying, ethical leadership, the use of social media, and media literacy, she is in constant dialogue and collaboration with educators, parents, children, and teens.
Rosalind is the author of the flexible, dynamic curriculum Own It: Empowering adolescents to CONFRONT social cruelty, Bullying and Injustice. Owning Up Online is the companion website for teachers.
Rosalind’s other books include: Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World—the groundbreaking, best-selling book that was the basis for the movie Mean Girls. Her latest book, Masterminds & Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World was published in September 2013. In addition, she wrote a free companion e-book for high school boys, entitled The Guide: Managing Douchebags, Recruiting Wingmen, and Attracting Who You Want and a school edition entitled, The Guide: Managing Jerks, Recruiting Wingmen, and Attracting Who You Want. Learn more at CulturesofDignity.com.
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