During GLSEN's No Name-Calling Week, members of GLSEN's National Student Council, together with other students, educators, and community advocates, took to Twitter to discuss how to put #KindnessInAction and end bullying and name-calling at school. Here's 34 pieces of their best advice.
What does #KindnessInAction look like to you? Share a message of support to LGBTQ students and help us build a wall of kindness.
What does #KindnessInAction mean to you?
A1: Empathy no matter the circumstance or individual, striving to understand by listening and connecting #kindnessinaction #nncw https://t.co/RXGUqFde24
— Alex Serna (@alsernabjj) January 19, 2017
Adding transgender and gender-non conforming students to our district non-discrimination policy. Kindness on paper &history made! A1 @GLSEN
— Joe Luginbill (@JoeLuginbill) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN A1: visually showing support and intervening in cases of bullying #dontbeabystander #kindnessinaction
— Bexx (@bexsquared) January 19, 2017
A1: As a teacher, it has always meant modeling the expectation of #kindnessinaction by treating every human with respect every time. #NNCW
— Judy Ashby (@liv2lrn) January 19, 2017
How do you work together to make your school safe and accepting for everyone?
@GLSEN Making my school safe begins and ends with education, and I don't just mean math and science. Learning about ourselves and each (1)
— Madison Miszewski (@mmiszki) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN other in our curricula makes a HUGE difference in the kindness I see every day on campus!
— Madison Miszewski (@mmiszki) January 19, 2017
Q2: partner with school clubs like poetry club & book club to promote LGBTQ voices in the activities @GLSEN #nncw
— Ms. Sansing (@MsSansing_MTHS) January 19, 2017
It starts with showing kindness + compassion. In our GSA, we make sure everyone feels like they're family. #NNCW https://t.co/8S40LvBrwp
— agua de coco (@wokemom) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN I try making my school safer by asking my teachers to respect preferred pronouns.
— Luis-Angel, Lujan (@Luii_Lujan) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN making sure we have concrete policies that clearly outline no tolerance of harassment against LGBT students.
— Bexx (@bexsquared) January 19, 2017
Why might it be difficult to put kindness in action in schools?
@GLSEN It might be difficult to put #KindnessInAction in schools because sometimes staff and/or students aren't supportive.
— Vincent Grant (@vinleeg) January 19, 2017
A3: Some educators may find it difficult to support #LGBTQ students without inclusive school policies. #NNCW https://t.co/os1elyP4sN
— Chris Tuttle (@ChrisTuttle) January 19, 2017
Q3. It's difficult to put #kindnessinaction in schools because of the fear that you will be judged for the way you express yourself. #NNCW
— Danny Charney (@DanCharnn) January 19, 2017
A3: A lack of support from admin to create #systemic change to place #kindnessinaction at fore of cultivating #caring climate #NNCW https://t.co/qzxOBv2fVY
— Alex Serna (@alsernabjj) January 19, 2017
How do you know when to speak up when others are being bullied?
Q4: when you know it's SAFE to (around others/teachers/others nearby) also, speaking up doesn't mean confrontation always #NNCW https://t.co/J72vPpVjMZ
— Ms. Sansing (@MsSansing_MTHS) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN Q4. When youre in a safe position to do so the time to speak up is ALWAYS - it's always time to practice radical kindness #NNCW
— Madison Miszewski (@mmiszki) January 19, 2017
What does kindness in action look like in your school?
Q5: Students take pledges against bullying and name calling #NNCW @GLSEN_Education @GLSEN https://t.co/W9cDaCVObf
— Ms. Sansing (@MsSansing_MTHS) January 19, 2017
A5 Compassionate relationships through mentoring & critical conversations in & out of classrooms #kindnessinaction https://t.co/h2cnO7awLM
— Alex Serna (@alsernabjj) January 19, 2017
Q5: Safe space/rainbow stickers in classrooms + offices! Makes a huge difference especially for the students looking for allies #nncw @GLSEN https://t.co/CxtvalLs2e
— it's ya boi alex!! ♂ (@jay_elixander) January 19, 2017
A5: #nncw Kindness in action looks like lending a helping hand to a fellow student who may need someone to listen to them
— SHS GSA (@SHSMESAGA) January 19, 2017
I feel most supported by my school when _____.
teachers ask me what I'm doing to make safer schools for LGBTQIA+ kids #NNCW #kindnessinaction https://t.co/Osfj1JnhTT
— DJ (@boraplayer2012) January 19, 2017
my teachers + counselors make me feel safe + like they truly care about my education + well being. #NNCW https://t.co/B8mxQ4OVUw
— agua de coco (@wokemom) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN I feel most supported by my school when they participate in LGBTQ+ events like #DayOfSilence
— ⓧTyⓧ (@xtaylorxyoungx) January 19, 2017
Q6: I feel most supported by my school when they validate my needs as a transgender student and when they honor my voice. #nncw @GLSEN https://t.co/VSWqSV6dqy
— it's ya boi alex!! ♂ (@jay_elixander) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN A6. Teachers aren't afraid to show their support for queer students - those who ask us our pronouns and teach about EVERYONE #NNCW
— Madison Miszewski (@mmiszki) January 19, 2017
How have you encouraged kindness in action to create a safe classroom?
@GLSEN A7. Being visible on campus and vocal about my needs as a queer student has made a huge difference in my school climate #NNCW
— Madison Miszewski (@mmiszki) January 19, 2017
Q7: Encouraging gender neutral language in classrooms and speaking up when i see someone misgender someone else #nncw @GLSEN https://t.co/wMUjCM8vnf
— it's ya boi alex!! ♂ (@jay_elixander) January 19, 2017
A7: talking about stereotypes as causes of divides/dehumanizing others #NNCW pic.twitter.com/P8SsYA3OqO
— Caroline Lehman (@CarolineLehman) January 19, 2017
Q7: Reminding students to speak w/respect, value differing opinions, and celebrate uniqueness everyday. @GLSEN @CV_GSA #NNCW17
— Amber Schweitzer (@CVHSyogi) January 19, 2017
A7: Ask educators to download a free Safe Space Kit from @GLSEN & put a #SafeSpaceSticker on door. https://t.co/fSgZ4gRsIH #NNCW https://t.co/6KyA6IzzhA
— Chris Tuttle (@ChrisTuttle) January 19, 2017
What are ways you can promote kindness in action in your school after NNCW?
@GLSEN I can promote #KindnessinAction after #NoNameCallingWeek by continuing to let other LGBQ+ students know I'm there for them!
— Vincent Grant (@vinleeg) January 19, 2017
@GLSEN continue to advocate for your own needs and the needs of those around you in your daily life. Spread acceptance and positivity.
— summer #savegmw (@orphanrowbrina) January 19, 2017
#NNCW A8) continue with other @GLSEN spirit days such as @dayofsilence or create lgbtq+ spirit days based on your own school communities!
— Ev Norsworthy (@evnors98) January 19, 2017
A8: acknowledge kindness when you see it. Encourage curriculum and staff to be inclusive #NNCW
— Caroline Lehman (@CarolineLehman) January 19, 2017
