Cultivating Respectful Classroom Discourse in Trump's America
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52242/gatesol.64Keywords:
Politics, Trump, Bullying, Intimidation, Muslim Registry, Deportation, Safe EnvironmentAbstract
The 2016 Presidential Election brought debate about wall building, deportation for undocumented families, and registering for Muslim Americans. A Trump presidency means that many of our ESOL families are concerned about their security in our communities. Families are talking about this at home, and children are talking at school. Students are repeating insensitive things they have heard at home or on television. For our students who are already fearful that their families will be separated or that they will have to register because of their religion, hearing their peers support those ideas can feel intimidating. How can teachers provide a safe learning environment that respects all learners? Suggestions are presented for maintaining an intimidation-free classroom and encouraging respectful discourse in order to promote optimal learning opportunities.
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