Young people bear witness to challenging or traumatic events in current events, media, and our local communities. Their thoughts, feelings, and reactions enter school spaces whether we introduce conversations or not. We adults have a natural instinct to protect our children from harsh realities and yet prepare them to navigate this complex world - is it possible to do both? What are ways to talk about identity, difference, and justice in age appropriate ways? How do you reinforce school values without shutting down perspectives? How do you facilitate authentic and respectful dialogue across difference? Engage in these questions and more through this interactive session.

1. Latin School of Chicago
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
Seattle Girls’ School
Talking to Young People
About Complicated and Heated Topics
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

2. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

3. Agenda
 Current Realities
 Young People’s Experience
 How to Talk to Youth
 How to Facilitate Conversations
 Questions and Answers
 Resources
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

4. Current Realities
 Midterm Elections
 #MeToo, Time’s Up, Etc.
 School Gun Violence
 Immigration, DACA, Etc.
 Black Lives Matter
 Climate Change and Denial
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

5. Young People’s Experience
 Increase in Anti-Group Sentiment
 Increased Uncivil Discourse
 Rise in Sadness, Fear, and Anxiety
 Increased Acting Out
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

6. How to Talk to Young People
About Current Events
 What have you heard?
 How do you feel?
 What questions do you have?
 How can I support you?
 Here are our values.
 What positive action can you take?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

7. How to Talk to Young People
About Hate and Extremism
 Prepare Yourself
 Be Alert
 Listen
 Reassure
 Be Honest
 Share Your Values
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

8. How to Talk to Young People After
Personal Incidents
 “I want to help you feel strong.”
 Affection, correction, protection
 Emotions are always right; not all
action is always right
 Avoid either/or thinking
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

9. Helping Young People Talk to One Another
 Create Safety and Courage
 Express Feelings
 Generate Questions
 Share Facts
 Learn More
 Complicate Thinking
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

10. Sharing the Challenges,
Sharing the Wisdom
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
tiny.cc/TalkingPointers

11. Sharing the Challenges,
Sharing the Wisdom
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
 A challenge we couldn’t strategize well
around was…
 A great approach we discussed was…
 I have a question about…
 What if…

12. Questions and Comments
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

13. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

14. Practice Makes
Less Anxiety-Inducing
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15. Sample Topic: NFL Protests
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
 What makes you nervous?
 What makes you hopeful?
 You are walking through the dining hall. You
notice the kids in an argument. As you get
closer you overhear a jumble of comments.
“Protesting against flags is wrong!” “It’s free
speech!” “My favorite player is taking a knee!”
“The President says it’s wrong!”
– How do you intervene?
– What do you need to keep in mind?
– What do you want to avoid doing?

16. Takeaways
 What did you learn today
that was new, helpful, or
thought provoking?
 What are some goals or
strategies you would like to
apply with your students?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)