Navigating Social Issues in the Classroom: A Toolkit for Educators as Community Bridge-Builders
Teachers’ fears of losing their jobs or being the targets of backlash have intensified, limiting constructive discussions about social issues in the classroom, according to Rand’s 2023 State of the American Teacher Survey.
But these conversations matter—without constructive dialogue, students miss out on a well-rounded education that includes essential civic, media literacy, and social, cognitive, and emotional skills that can help them become informed critical thinkers and global citizens. Such discussions can also foster a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual understanding which are critical for wellbeing.
Together with Generation Citizen and Rural Assembly, Making Caring Common developed Navigating Social Issues in the Classroom: A Toolkit for Educators as Community Bridge Builders, a resource to help middle and high school teachers and administrators collaboratively prepare students for and engage them in constructive dialogue across their differences.
Our toolkit is based on a framework that leads educators through three phases: prepare, build, and engage. This framework can help guide teachers in how they think about bridge-building not only with students, but also with school administrators and caregivers.
Overview
For: Educators, administrators, counselors, peer leaders, and anyone who works with youth
Grades: 7-12
Resource Type: Toolkit
Last reviewed July 2024.
