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Sensitive social issues and conversations arise from curricular study and student curiosity. Discussions about and around race, gender, identity, and current events can take place without warning. These topics can feel overwhelming when teachers feel that they don’t have the necessary tools to engage students in challenging conversations.
In this three-session workshop, HVWP teachers Sam Mossman, Caitlyn Robillard, and Simone Shook will guide our writing and discussion as we consider questions such as:
- How can we use the Courageous Conversations and other protocols to enable teachers to feel confident in facilitating unexpected conversations?
- What strategies can a teacher employ when talking about tough topics with their students?
- Why are these conversations so important to have in the current world climate?
Learning new teaching practices, we will explore ways to engage students in meaningful conversation and learning through low-stakes writing, collaborative activities, and guided discussion. Our goal is to provide teachers with support for addressing contemporary issues and modeling civic discourse in our classrooms.
Facilitators: Sam Mossman teaches 8th graders at Crispell Middle School in Pine Bush, Caitlyn Robillard teaches humanities to 6th-8th graders at San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, and Simone Shook teaches 9th and 10th graders in Global and AP World History at Pawling High School. All three teachers are current participants in the HVWP's Invitational Institute, Leadership in the Teaching of Writing.
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