Ensuring Your Classroom is a Safe and Supportive Place for All Students

Ensuring a Safe and Supportive Classroom

Maria comes from a biracial family, with her mother identifying as Hispanic and her father as African-American. The family recently moved due to her father's job transfer, indicating a possible economic necessity or opportunity. The new community is a small, rural town that is predominantly white and middle class. This contrasts with the large city from which Maria and her family moved. Maria's biracial identity encompasses both Hispanic and African-American cultures. This diverse background may have been more common in her previous urban environment but stands out in her new rural setting.

Culturally responsive, trauma-informed action would be to organize a school-wide program on cultural awareness, biracialism, inclusivity, and the dangers of cyberbullying. Additionally, it would include setting Maria up with counseling services to address her trauma and feelings. Another option would be to invite Maria's parents to be a part of the cultural awareness program, so they could share their experiences and culture with others.

The justification for this would be that students would get a better understanding of diverse cultures and the importance of acceptance. This would benefit Maria and any other students who might feel marginalized. Counseling could give Maria help with coping and an additional safe space where she can express her feelings. For example, at counseling, Maria could learn about the strength and resilience within her own cultural background and use that as a source of empowerment.

I come from a middle-class, white background, raised in a predominantly white community with strong Christian values. My cultural background might initially make it challenging for me to fully grasp the depth of Maria's struggles. I did not experience racial or cultural discrimination firsthand growing up. However, my upbringing did include learning and practicing compassion, and this would move me to want to learn, understand, and take proactive steps to support Maria.