*A Thread* I went over to @VineMSKnox to check in with my people. Coach J (Restorative Interventionist) was holding a circle with 6th grade boys and he prompted them to introduce themselves. They all were quiet, and then one boy spoke up and said...

Then Coach J tossed the football (talking piece) and each person in the room was silent, providing their undivided attention to the one who had their hands on the football. Each student had a voice, the eyes and attention of others, and the authority to be their authentic self.

“What’s your point Jay?” Well, I have several points...how long do you have?
1.) Affirm and validate young black males. They need SEL to counterbalance the impact of implicit bias towards them. Yes everyone needs that, but stay focused. We’re talking about them right now. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😉" title="Zwinkerndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Zwinkerndes Gesicht">

2) The presence of black male educators is necessary. Nothing says “You can do it” more than seeing something that looks like you “do it.” A coach on the field is powerful, but a coach on the field AND in the classroom is POWERFUL.

3) Normalize mutual respect and shared group norms. Attentiveness was an agreement and expectation. Everyone in that room respected one another and affirmed their presence. You could see that in their body language- eyes set, posture towards speaker.

4) Lastly, respect is taught and modeled. I’m not sure y’all heard me... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🗣" title="Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes" aria-label="Emoji: Silhouette eines sprechenden Kopfes">RESPECT IS TAUGHT AND MODELED. If you want your students to demonstrate respect, it has to be mutual and modeled. Respect without mutuality is strictly compliance. And compliance ain’t enough.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤷🏾‍♀️" title="Achselzuckende Frau (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Achselzuckende Frau (durchschnittlich dunkler Hautton)">