American Educator: Winter 2015-2016
-
Where We Stand: Moving Past Punishment Toward Support
Educators aspire to help all kids grow to meet their full potential.
Each morning, when we walk into our classrooms, we aim to create safe, nurturing environments where each student can thrive and succeed. Educators' efforts must be supported by school leaders and sound policies. But it is...
-
Positive School Discipline and the Supports Educators Need
The AFT has long championed the idea that all schools should be safe and welcoming places. Teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn unless they feel physically secure and emotionally connected. But the sad reality is that too many students—particularly students of color; lesbian, gay,...
-
From Reaction to Prevention
Turning the Page on School Discipline...
-
School Discipline and Federal Guidance
The AFT’s ResponseIn January 2014, the U.S. departments of Education and Justice jointly issued legal guidance, in the form of a "Dear Colleague" letter, on the subject of discriminatory practices in the administration of student discipline and violations of Title IV and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964....
-
It’s About Relationships
Creating Positive School Climates...
-
Learning to Switch Gears
In New Haven, a Restorative Approach to School Discipline...
-
The Professional Educator: Why Teaching Is Not an Exact Science
In 2002, the principal who offered me my first teaching position told me she did so because I was "older." I took that as a compliment. I was proud that she recognized my ability to juggle single parenthood, a full-time job, and college. What I didn't know then was that, for her, "older" meant...
-
The Professional Educator: Where Discipline and Racial Equity Intersect
It was the second hour of the school day. Students filled with early morning energy darted through the halls in the mass rush to class. Dylan stood in front of me, eyes cast down, with Mr. D., an administrative intern in a training program to be a principal, at his side. "Dylan wanted to come...
-
Understanding Implicit Bias
What Educators Should Know...
-
A Powerful Partner
Philanthropy’s Role in Promoting Positive Approaches to School Discipline...
-
Resources on Positive School Discipline
From the AFT and Our Partners...
-
News in Brief
TEACHER DIVERSITY
A crisis is brewing: the demographic gap between American students and their teachers is widening, particularly in urban school systems where the number of black teachers is shrinking, largely due to retention issues in high-poverty schools. That message... -
Share My Lesson
Webinars on Supportive School Discipline...