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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.

Name-calling is pervasive in our culture. According to advocacy organization Mental Health America, teens hear anti-gay slurs approximately 26 times a day. Other anti-bullying websites such as Bullying Statistics.org cite name-calling as the most common type of harassment in schools.

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

I have always considered myself a thoughtful and considerate teacher. I try to understand where my students are coming from. I want my students to feel safe and respected. Last year, one of my students taught me how even the best intentions can miss the mark.

I was apprehensive about beginning a unit on the concept of home in my high school art class. I’m still getting to know my students and was wary of delving in to such a personal topic without knowing what it might bring up for them. I want a curriculum centered on students’ lives, but also like to have an idea of what to expect.

Documentary films can expose students to the world—and inspire them to change it.

Sometimes teachers have to think outside the box to reach students. This educator found his work requires great expansion.

Creating schools that are safe and empowering requires the involvement of every stakeholder.

A student’s frustration over a math lesson offers an opportunity to learn about respect.

Breaking! The president of the Boy Scouts of America urges his organization to remove its ban on gay adult leaders.