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Another educator reminded me:
Classrooms generally aren't safe places to think about violence. So
whether it's a haven or it's not a haven, I mean for most of us our
history of being in a classroom is so much one of giving over of
control and power.
She continued her musing with the question:
I've thought a lot about-one question that seems important to me to
ask is, what would happen if the silence was lifted? So what would
happen if there were lots of language around this? The consequences
are quite mind-boggling, particularly for the educational system.
And I think I have known this for a long time: if we had really
effective anti-violence programs in schools, and kids were able to talk
about violence and learning, all the things that would come up
would really threaten both family and educational institutions.
(Marilyn McLean)
If we opened up talk in this area we could expect a complicated picture of
institutionalized and individual violence to become more visible. Many would
be critical of the violence perpetrated by institutions such as schools and the
demand for change might become harder to ignore.
These reflections are important reminders that schools need careful exploration
to find ways to break institutional and individual silences and address issues of
violence. School personnel must find a way to present issues of violence so that
students know they are not alone, are able to reflect and recognize the impact
of violence on their learning and explore possibilities for supports. They must
do this in a way that doesn't in itself expose students to judgement from
teachers or students, or appear threatening and increase their sense of
vulnerability.
Make it "normal" to need help
One student said that schools should announce every week that there are
counsellors available to discuss personal issues such as violence. But as I write
this I wonder how many schools do have counsellors available. Students also
suggested that counsellors employed by the school board may not be the best
to address students' personal concerns. As mentioned earlier, during my first
focus group session at an alternative school I asked what might support
learning for students who have been through violence. All the students who
had spent time in one school that has a full-time counsellor employed by a
youth services organization said we had to talk to that counsellor because he
was what every school needs .
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