We need to prepare kids for the real world.
K-12 administrator, are you tired of hearing people say “we need to prepare kids for the real world” as if they aren’t currently living in the real world?
One issue that no one is immune to is the possibility of experiencing discrimination or harassment, weather in school at work or in the “real world.”
I think one of the reasons properly investigating civil rights complaints in a K12 setting is particularly important for students is that you get the chance to show them what it’s like for caring adults to respond to their concerns and help them through whatever they are experiencing.
As an administrator you’re in a unique position to carefully, and in a caring manner, help a student and potentially their parents through issues of discrimination or harassment they might be facing. You can use these opportunities to help teach students appropriate and inappropriate behaviors and ways of interacting with peers and others while providing them support.
School is the real world. Let’s make sure we give our students a good experience as we guide them through any civil rights issues they encounter.
