Protect the Mental Health of Students and Teachers
As February comes to an end, we’ve been reflecting on the important movements in education
highlighted this month. The Black Lives Matter at School movement is fighting for racial
justice in schools across the country. Teachers Against Child Detention highlights the
educators’ role as mandated reporters and exposed the U.S. government’s awful policy of
detaining immigrant children in detention centers. The one-year anniversary of the Parkland
school shooting reminds us of the students and teachers who turned their trauma and grief
into a crusade to end gun violence, calling out the despicable inaction of our politicians.
When children in our country do not have culturally relevant curriculum or counselors, when
children are imprisoned, when children fear for their lives in school, we are damaging them.
justice in schools across the country. Teachers Against Child Detention highlights the
educators’ role as mandated reporters and exposed the U.S. government’s awful policy of
detaining immigrant children in detention centers. The one-year anniversary of the Parkland
school shooting reminds us of the students and teachers who turned their trauma and grief
into a crusade to end gun violence, calling out the despicable inaction of our politicians.
When children in our country do not have culturally relevant curriculum or counselors, when
children are imprisoned, when children fear for their lives in school, we are damaging them.
Our children need our advocacy more than ever before. While teachers have always been
passionate champions for their students, 2018 was a year when they demanded that our
leaders listen to them. We have seen first-hand how NOT listening has had serious
consequences for our nation’s children. The truth is that teachers are fighting daily against a
system of education policies forced on schools by non-educators that does more to add trauma
to children’s lives than to reduce it. Teachers are witnesses and first responders to the harm
that is being caused.
passionate champions for their students, 2018 was a year when they demanded that our
leaders listen to them. We have seen first-hand how NOT listening has had serious
consequences for our nation’s children. The truth is that teachers are fighting daily against a
system of education policies forced on schools by non-educators that does more to add trauma
to children’s lives than to reduce it. Teachers are witnesses and first responders to the harm
that is being caused.
NBC news recently reported that the increase of children showing up in emergency rooms
due to a mental health crisis is “staggering.” The American Academy of Pediatrics also
reported that children’s admissions to hospitals for suicidal thoughts and self-harm more than
doubled from 2008 to 2015. Additionally, serious behavioral issues in schools have CONTINUE READING: Badass Teachers Association Blog: Protect the Mental Health of Students and Teachers
due to a mental health crisis is “staggering.” The American Academy of Pediatrics also
reported that children’s admissions to hospitals for suicidal thoughts and self-harm more than
doubled from 2008 to 2015. Additionally, serious behavioral issues in schools have CONTINUE READING: Badass Teachers Association Blog: Protect the Mental Health of Students and Teachers
