Safety in Numbers

"You Have the Right to be Safe- Not Silent"

The terms educator and advocate are synonymous. As educators, we are constantly advocating for our students' safety. It has be ingrained in our heads since our inception in this profession that, according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs,  for a person to reach the Self Actualization stage he or she must feel safe. We all want our students to reach their full potential; therefore, it is imperative that we are proactive in maintaining a safe learning environment for all students.

Too many times students face situations in their academic career that interfere with their ability to reach their full potential. What can we as educators do? Be proactive- not reactive. If you are reacting to a situation, then it has already occurred- and that means that at least one child's life has already been impacted by bullying, sexual misconduct, or physical abuse. That is one child too many.

So what's next? Implement a plan for teaching students how to communicate appropriately. The Montessori program incorporates Peace Education into their curriculum. With this education, the students are more apt at conflict resolution. Ten years ago, my high school Peer Mediation group developed a motto that I still teach today. "No Communication, No Peace- Know Communciation, Know Peace".  If we teach our students how to resolve conflicts without verbal or physical altercations, we are in turn creating an environment where students feel safe, and are able to learn.

With each new century comes a new set of challenges. The 21st Century has brought about a new form of bullying coined "Cyber Bullying". School technology standards should also incorporate social etiquette when using technology. By providing the students with an understanding of the long term affects of misconduct, they will hopefully choose not to perform these acts.

Abuse, whether sexual or physical, occurs daily. The abuser could be a parent, relative, boyfriend, or girlfriend. As educators, we are on the front lines. We see things that others do not. It is our job to protect our students by providing resources geared to ending the abuse.

Each day, there are many who face situations at home that would break even the strongest person's spirit. Many times, schools are the safe-havens for these students. If we do not provide them with an outlet of support, where will they turn?