Educators and other adults can help students develop their leadership skills in a variety of ways, from preparing students for formal leadership positions to supporting student-driven actions for social justice.
Social justice leadership includes regularly assessing and improving systems and structures that promote student well-being and equity—in both experiences and outcomes.
Cultural competency—the ability to work effectively and sensitively across cultural contexts—involves learning, communicating and connecting respectfully with others regardless of differences.
When asking students to explore issues of personal and social identity, teachers must help establish braver spaces where students are seen, valued, cared for, respected, and have opportunities to learn from one another’s experiences and perspectives.
Research shows that students need to feel physically and emotionally supported to learn, but culture, climate and social emotional learning must focus on more than just empathy, kindness and inclusion.