My small school has no cafeteria. Students bring their own lunches and eat in the classroom with their teachers. When I first learned about this set-up, I had mixed emotions. I didn’t get a break for lunch like most teachers, but on the other hand, my middle school students didn’t have to face the awkwardness and social segregation of a large school cafeteria.

When the start of Mix It Up at Lunch Day was announced at Seth Johnson Elementary in Montgomery, Ala., cheers rose up in the halls. At lunch, the fifth-grade class – leaders of this year’s activities – proudly displayed the banner they created for the event.

Creating safe spaces for LGBT students and their allies is crucial, and hosting a GSA Day is one step toward that safety. Find out how Oakland Unified School District got it done.

As an organization committed to justice and equity, the similarities between the Watts Riots and the riots in Ferguson, Missouri following Michael Brown’s death compel us to point out that we do not live in a post-racial world.

Inequitable cafeteria practices stigmatize low-income students.

I arrived to school ready for our morning staff meeting and took a seat among my colleagues. But today was different. There were about 30 student leaders joining us. As a newer staff member at the school, I had little idea of what to expect for our planned Culture Day, which was based on Teaching Tolerance’s “Mix It Up at Lunch Day.” The students were there because they were instrumental in planning and pulling it off.

As sure as October brings pumpkins and pep rallies, TT Director Maureen Costello knows she’ll hear dis-spiriting news about a school’s offensive choice of spirit week theme. Yesterday was no exception.

Through community walks around students’ neighborhoods, educators and school staff can learn from those they teach, creating a stronger and more responsive school community.