?Yes. I know it might seem weird. Alternatives to policing and academic coaching have something in common?!
But first a little background, about policing!
A little over a year ago I started attending a monthly workshop series called Alternatives to Policing. When I first started attending this workshop, I was intrigued. Alternatives?! To Policing? Don’t we NEED the police?
I’ve been on an explicitly anti-racist personal journey for about 5 years now, but this felt super super radical. No police?
Now, it’s suddenly more of a public conversation! And there I was last Saturday — at an information session/training for a new organization that trains volunteers as first responders to mental health crises, so the community has someone to call besides the police.
Here’s where we bring it back to academic coach — As the trainers were giving us guidance about how to approach and handle a person having a mental health crisis in public, I couldn’t help but think– “The advice they’re giving is so aligned with the advice I give teachers and academic coaches about how to work with students!”
Of course, that makes sense. If creating beloved community is the goal — where people know and look out for their neighbors, even (perhaps especially?) for the most vulnerable in those communities — then students and people in mental health crisis have a lot in common.
If you’re curious to hear more, I break down exactly how in this video (hint: it’s about Self Determination Theory).
This video is Part 1 of a 6 part series that is going to take us all the way to the first week of August, as I break down all the overlaps between what I learned in this training and what I see is important for teachers and coaches to take on.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about any of this!
P.S. Would YOU like some tools about how to put Self Determination Theory into action in your classrooms and coaching sessions? There are some AWESOME coaches and teachers working through it this summer.
Do You Like This Post?
Want more tips to de-stressify school?
Sign up below to get an email alert whenever I post a new one.