Dear Sneaker Principal” — When the World Comes to School скачать в хорошем качестве

Dear Sneaker Principal” — When the World Comes to School

This morning, I read a letter from a middle school assistant principal responding to the recent federal-involved shootings in Minnesota, incidents that have shaken their students, staff, and families. Some students have family in Minnesota. Others are overwhelmed by what they’re seeing on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Fear, confusion, and deep questions about justice and leadership are everywhere. As I read their words, I was taken back to my childhood in Los Angeles, growing up as an immigrant child navigating the constant fear of deportation. I remember my mother’s warnings, the whispered jokes about “la migra,” and the quiet panic many of us lived with daily. These aren’t new fears, but social media has made them immediate and visceral. Our children are not just hearing about traumatic events, they’re watching them unfold on their phones in real time. So how do we respond as school leaders? Not just with empathy, but with civic education. We must teach our students the Constitution, their rights, and the responsibilities of government. We must create space for real, informed dialogue rooted in both safety and understanding. We must equip our staff with the tools to hold these conversations courageously. We must support our immigrant families, not only emotionally, but with access to legal resources, SEL support, and community partnerships. Schools must once again become places where civil engagement and human rights are not just abstract concepts, but lived knowledge. In moments of chaos, truth and structure matter. We can’t just react emotionally, we must respond intellectually, compassionately, and purposefully. Tune in to today’s episode of The Sneaker Principal Podcast to hear the full letter and my reflections as an immigrant-turned-principal working to create safe, informed, and empowered school communities.