When NJ Teachers Know Their HIBs, Students Learn ABCs & More
Teachers who took part in our December 2021 Twitter Chat addressing safe learning environments reported increased capacity for reducing incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying in schools. Because school safety is vital for student academic performance and their social-emotional well-being, it is important that new teachers gain awareness and confidence in this area early in their careers. Prior to the chat and learning module, only forty percent of teachers felt very knowledgeable about their professional obligations relative to HIB among students. That percentage increased to seventy-one following the chat and module. What's more is that the number of teachers reporting being not at all knowledgeable in this area dropped to zero following the module.
The curated information, tools, and strategies for creating safe learning environments follow and represent the learning exchange which fostered the growth among our New Jersey Alternate Route Teachers. The chat featured the sage advice of seasoned educators who served as guest commentators for candidates, affirming their practices and expanding their ideas with additional considerations. Former New Jersey school district leader Dr. Shay Biggs was among this chat’s guest commentators and shared this golden nugget of learning with candidates.
“One thing I’ve learned throughout my educational leadership work and in my business marketing and sales training and experiences is: It’s all about relationship and trust-building. Educators and other professionals position themselves to create environments with healthy and inclusive cultures and climates when they focus on people before policy. Investing time and energy upfront for trust and relationship building is a practical way to counter and eliminate HIB issues in schools and districts. In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - Dr. Shay Biggs
Peruse the Wakelet to learn more from Dr. Biggs, the guest commentators, and of course our resourceful teaching candidates.
Heather Ngoma has over 25 years of experience collaborating with educators across New Jersey to drive education innovation. She currently serves as the Director of the Rutgers-GSE Alternate Route Program in the Department of Learning and Teaching, a program which helps career changers, recent college graduates, and other aspiring education professionals become licensed teachers in New Jersey. Follow her on Twitter @heatherngoma.
