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In my eighth-grade language arts classroom, we use discussion as a vehicle for learning, thinking, writing, posing and defending arguments, questioning and reviewing—just about everything. And as can be expected, we sometimes digress from the topic at hand.

Middle school teachers struggle to find ways to respond to bullying, teasing, name-calling and exclusionary practices among students. We tread lightly sometimes, afraid of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time thus making conditions worse for a bullied student. Being heavy-handed almost never works. Students also know how to say the right thing to adults and then act in a completely contrary way towards peers.

I am intellectually aware of Paola’s poverty. Nine out of 10 students at our school come from families whose income level meets the federal poverty guidelines. Paola, an immigrant from El Salvador, is one of them. The first-grader lives in a small apartment with her grandma, mom, sister and uncle. Combined, the adults earn less than $26,170 a year.

This toolkit accompanies the article “Just Science,” and provides a classroom resource to help students probe deeper to discover the social and ethical implications of topics in science.

Anti-LGBT sentiment mars a Mississippi theatrical performance.

No matter how educators identify or how long they have been teaching, it’s critical that they reflect on their ability to discuss race, racial (in)equality and racism—past and present—with students. This toolkit offers strategies for how educators can engage in this reflection and strengthen their practice.

In all the changes that have occurred in the last decade, one steady current is clear to TT Managing Editor Monita Bell: Our work is about doing right by all of our kids.