Welcome!

Teachers Talk: School Culture, Safety and Human Rights

Teachers in New York City public schools say that punitive approaches toward children, such as aggressive policing, suspensions and other reactive strategies, undermine the human right to education by failing to address the causes of conflict and criminalizing the school environment, according to a report by Teachers Unite and the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI).

In the report, Teachers Talk: School Culture, Safety and Human Rights teachers call for preventive and constructive approaches to discipline that create positive school cultures, teach behavior skills and use conflict resolution. Among the largest threats to safety in schools, teachers cited overcrowding, lack of quality training for teachers, inadequate numbers of guidance counselors and social workers, and the lack of opportunities for teachers, students and parents to influence discipline policies.

Sally Lee, Executive Director of Teachers Unite said, "the observations shared by these teachers are powerful arguments for a new vision of safety in the schools where they work, and powerful indictments of the city's approach to education in general. Youth of color in particular, who make up over 85% of the student population in New York City, are criminalized in schools and denied their right to education by the lack of resources."

The Teachers Unite website is under construction. Please excuse any unsightly blemishes!

* Receive excellent benefits - Discounts and promotions from our partners: Corrugated Films, Rethinking Schools , Indy Kids, Punk Rope, Panade Café & Bakery--a teacher-owned and operated business-- and more!
* Define your role as a teacher - Be a part of the movement of educators working in solidarity with the communities they serve.
* Build strength in numbers - Becoming a member is the most basic way to build and sustain power for our organization.

Teachers Unite has launched a new listserv exclusively for curriculum questions that address civil rights, human rights, justice, liberation and representation. Support social justice teaching in this unique peer-to-peer professional development forum. Post questions or respond to educators with your own recommendations . Click here to join the Teachers Unite in the Classroom listserv. ALSO, if you'd like to receive occasional emails about Teachers Unite events, news and opportunities, please click here to join Teachers Unite's e-mailing list.