You Spoke, We Listened

Reader Reactions

Our magazine feature story “Immigrant and Refugee Children: A Guide for Educators and School Support Staff” is essential reading for anyone working with undocumented youth. Take a look.

This is so vital and important. We need to advocate for these kids and their families. We need to build trust between home and school.
—Kathy O’Hara-Rosa, via Facebook

Often, educators and school support staff are the first to witness the impact of increased enforcement measures on students and their families. If you live in an ethnically diverse school district, you may want to share this guide.
—Erika Berg, via Facebook

Letters

Our latest magazine issue, a brand-new guide for serving English language learners and posts about school choice have inspired a lot of dialogue with our readers.

LONGTIME SUPPORT

I’ve supported @splcenter and @Tolerance_org for decades! I think they’ve led the way on fighting hate with creative vision better than any!
—Julie Segal Walters (@J_S_Dub), via Twitter

SPARKING DIALOGUES

[The Perspectives text library] plays a great role in opening up dialogue, engaging diverse populations, and promoting empathy, agency for social change and actively engaged citizenship.
—Anonymous, via survey

AN OMISSION

I love what your magazine, blogs, media, stand for. Words cannot express how important these issues are. As a Native American teacher/person, however, I must say that even an organization such as yours continues to perpetuate the omission of Native issues. Our children are still obviously “missing” in your lineup. …  It is time to stop this and make it right.
—Darla Phillips, via email

THERE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

Thank you for all that you do to provide resources for teachers and students in these difficult/challenging times. I was particularly touched by the variety of materials available for teachers to support immigrant families in schools and their communities. ... Please don’t stop what you are doing on behalf of all the minority students out there.
—Joyce Lawrence, via email

A DEEPER CONNECTION

I have been using Teaching Tolerance lessons and ideas in my classroom for several years, but really was able to connect more deeply with the Social Justice Standards after attending [a workshop] at The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. I think they are easy to use and really help breathe social justice into any unit.
—Jennifer Fetter Martin, via email

Editor’s note: Our Social Justice Standards provide anchor standards and learning outcomes in four domains: Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action. Read more here and start incorporating them into your teaching.

SPREAD THE LOVE

I just wanted to say how much I love your organization, the newsletters, materials, staff picks, etc. I am pursuing my doctorate in Educational Diversity, and I am a coordinator for Social Justice teaching in my school district, which is greatly expanding next year. Just love it!!!
—Enadrienne Rosser, via email

THE SCHOOL CHOICE DEBATE

I’m just wondering why Teaching Tolerance has taken what appears to be an anti-choice stand with regards to education. … I’m not saying that we need to be in the business of public school bashing, but promoting the concept of school choice, faith-based schools, or families choosing their best options seems to be one which would increase tolerance.
—Dan Tully, via email

#WINNING

[On Best Practices for Serving English Language Learners and Their Families] Teaching Tolerance for the win again. If you work with ELLs, check this out! They also have free resources on their website!
—Liana Davis, via Facebook

Editor’s note: Best Practices for Serving English Language Learners and Their Families is packed with recommendations for instruction, classroom culture and more. Access the full guide.

SO MANY USES!

Our administrative team is using [Responding to Hate and Bias at School: A Guide for Administrators, Counselors and Teacher] as a construct for our opening assemblies with students, as one of our foundations for an annual leadership conference for our students [and as] a guide in setting how we react to and respond to incidents.
—Mike Klugman, via email

Stellar Tweet

My favorite educational site is @Tolerance_org. I’ve been hooked since I did my student teaching in 2007! Wow! 10 years!
—Karen Corsello @MsCorsello, via Twitter

Stellar Facebook Comment

For the last couple years I have made it a habit to check your Facebook posts *before* I go into my classes (university courses for pre- service teachers); y’all NEVER disappoint and are ALWAYS timely in your discussions. ... THANK YOU for your dedication to providing practical resources.
—Burrow Bunch, via Facebook