We still hope for some bits of innocence in childhood. We aspire to days that are carefree and playful. We think those days help form us as adults. Schools can play a role.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 06:01 AM | Permalink

It is important to teach children to understand something beyond 'us and them' and 'good or bad'. It is in the opposition of terms that fear, and sometimes hate, can develop.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 06:33 AM | Permalink

Guest blogger Christopher Wojeski, Ed.D says, "Few are trained to address calamity. Nevertheless, maintaining composure, fortitude and optimism is paramount when helping our students and school community constituents devise solutions to issues and cope with anguish."

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 10:29 AM | Permalink

This is not a time to watch the news in shock only. In moments when we allow ourselves to become students of leadership, we realize we are living in a time rich in its lessons.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 08:16 AM | Permalink

While this uninformed Cabinet Secretary who is supposed to care about everyone's kids wreaks havoc on our reputations and dismantles some of the best regulation we have seen in years, school leaders can step out and up.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 10:57 AM | Permalink

It is unthinkable to ask educators who are motivators, caretakers, designers of learning opportunities, collaborators, and creators to be prepared to shoot and kill another human being. It doesn't fit.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Whether you personally support these walkouts or not, as a teacher or school administrator they are an opportunity to elevate student voice and action as powerful teachable moments.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 2:16 PM | Permalink

Students and teachers and all in schools deserve to be safe. It seems on this we all agree. How is the question where the agreement shreds.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 05:25 AM | Permalink

One of the best ways to tap into young people's advocacy and activism is to engage with them early and often about current events generally. Young people read the headlines and hear the sound bites. They want to be part of the conversation, and should be.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Nikolas Cruz: No one ought to be surprised that his mind turned to violence and to aggression. In November, his adoptive mother died. Of course, that was a trigger but he was 19 and no intervention system was following him.

Posted by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers at 07:14 AM | Permalink