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I literally don’t know how I would handle the 2016 election if I were teaching today.

This year, students are absorbing a lot of negative and inflammatory messages related to the election—often from the adults in their own school communities. We’ve got something that can help.

Recently I suspended a seventh-grade boy for publicly calling his former girlfriend a “slut” and a “whore.” Our rules on slurs are clear. But as I learned again, talking about something in class doesn’t always affect student behavior, especially if the unwanted behavior isn’t corrected or condemned outside of the classroom.

My third-period students rushed in at the start of class, wide-eyed and excited. Something had happened. “Quentin hit Ms. Combs!” Helen Combs was my friend. She taught language arts. “He knocked her down,” one student reported. “They took her to the hospital, and the police took him away in handcuffs!”

When the news about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School broke on Friday, we quickly issued some advice for teachers heading back to school on Monday.

This English teacher picked up a few tips for connecting with students. It’s all about how you speak.

Students’ names are an important reflection of identity and culture, as educators, we must put in the time to honor those names and pronunciation.

Today, thousands of people will stand against bullying and wear a blue T-shirt in a worldwide event to raise awareness about bullying. It is known as Blue Shirt Day or World Day of Bullying Prevention.

Want to give students more time outdoors? Start by taking professional development outside.

Let’s use some time this summer to rejuvenate and reflect on our classroom practice!