Debi Khasnabis co-authors op-ed in the Hechinger Report calling on teachers to act on behalf of students’ safety
“We have a professional responsibility to protect and advocate for our children.”
In an op-ed for The Hechinger Report, Professor Debi Khasnabis and co-author Simona Goldin implore teachers to be vigilant about protecting and supporting students’ well-being, especially in light of executive orders that have the potential to cause harm.
Citing the example of two young students whose parents were detained by ICE and who subsequently didn’t attend school for several days, Khasnabis and Goldin write:
“As public servants, we must live out our charge to protect and advocate for the children we serve by taking immediate action to ensure their safety in whatever ways we are able. That means actively noticing when students are missing and when they are struggling.”
Furthermore, the co-authors note that the responsibility of protecting students must not fall solely on individual teachers, but should be addressed by systems put in place to ensure students’ well-being.
“Schools, districts, and states must provide resources and structures — like wellness checks, counseling and communication with community services — that allow us to act swiftly when the safety of our students is at risk.”
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