Educator Spotlight
DOWNSTATE GOLD STAR NO PLACE FOR HATE EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT
Josephine Kirkland-Hudson, Rebecca Turner Elementary School
How has No Place for Hate impacted you and/or your school?
No Place for Hate has had a tremendous impact on me personally and professionally. I know first-hand what it feels like to be the target of hate, bigotry, and bullying. This program has helped me to heal. I was able to find my strength to pay if forward continuing to spread the message of anti-bias, anti-bullying, and inclusion. Through social awareness and the no place for hate activities, I have seen growth in the students and staff who have a wider understanding about bias, equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is observed in how others are treated, accepted, and respected. Our school community is more tolerant of other people’s differences. This is especially true with our autism cohort. Whether it is at school or in the community, we need each other. I believe Rebecca Turner School and the Mount Vernon City School District are moving forward toward a better culture of inclusivity.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in making schools No Place for Hate? How have you overcome that challenge?
I believe one of the challenges in making schools No Place for Hate is getting the message out to the board of education in school districts. Many school districts must receive board approval before implementing school-based programs. In addition, I would not have known about the program if I wasn’t doing a google search for school-based programs. Since our school began the program in 2016, I have seen more schools registering. We must keep spreading the word and encouraging schools to expand the program district wide.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining the No Place for Hate movement?
I would advise others who are considering joining No Place for Hate to do it. The program fosters a positive climate of respect through student-led activities. ADL provides an extensive library of resources and direct support to implement the program with success. As a result, our school has seen a reduction in bullying and an increase in tolerance for others. We were able to incorporate this program with other school programs so that everyone is unified under one message.
UPSTATE JANE GOLUB NO PLACE FOR HATE EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Michael Patton, Saratoga Springs School District Superintendent
How has No Place for Hate impacted you and/or your school?
No Place for Hate has energized our students and staff across all eight schools in our district through a unified approach to improving school culture and climate. Students, teachers, support staff, administrators, and parents have collaborated in developing a variety of student- led programs and initiatives that promote unity and inclusion and address bias, racism, and take a proactive stance against harmful words and actions. It has been inspiring to see students at all grade levels working together to help create environments where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and active learning is taking place. No Place for Hate has helped unify our schools and our community in sustaining our efforts for positive change.
What do you think is the biggest challenge in making schools No Place for Hate? How have you overcome that challenge?
Improvement in school culture requires full commitment and participation by all district stakeholders. Our District Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has been working to help raise awareness and eliminate harmful language and actions and teaching our students to be mutually respectful. Students, teachers, support staff members, administrators, BOE Trustees, parents and community members all play a critical role in supporting our children and preparing them to live and work in a very diverse environment. As adults, we must be positive role models for our children and teach them to be kind, respectful, inclusive, and appreciate the differences that make all of us unique. Our school district has worked hard to make sure all voices are heard and to be responsive to the concerns from our students and families about confronting racism and bias. We continue to offer professional development for all staff on cultural responsiveness and have empowered our students to help us lead efforts towards positive change in our school’s culture and climate.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering joining the No Place for Hate movement?
The greatest strength of the No Place for Hate movement is that all initiatives are led by our students. We have been truly inspired by the passion and motivation that our students have created in all our schools to create positive change. Equity of opportunity has been a core value of our district for many years and No Place for Hate has highlighted the need to have every student’s voice represented in our schools. We look forward to growing our program and getting more students, staff, and families involved each year.