A middle school teacher walked into her classroom after lunch and saw a note written on her whiteboard.  It was a racial slur. As one of the few Black teachers on campus, Ms. Q (not her real name), was heartbroken and immediately took action. She went to her colleagues and the Principal. One of her colleagues experienced an anti-Semitic comment from a student only the week before. 

When YES Institute’s team is invited to speak at a school, it is typically based on the premise of student-to-student bullying. This particular Miami-Dade County Public School reached out to YES Institute within days of the teachers being targeted. 

YES Institute’s education team was prepared with videos, infographics, data, and a student-centered presentation. In the end, it was the heartfelt and brave share from Ms. Q that had the students better grasp the impact of their words and actions. 

Students displayed an array of reactions when the racial and anti-Semitic comments were brought up in the conversation during the assemblies. There was one middle schooler who opened up about how she was teased for being multi-racial, didn’t have any friends at her previous school, and was grateful that these conversations were happening.

Our education team facilitates conversations to create spaces for participants to reflect on their experiences around bullying behaviors and to question their sources. When our team asked the participants why they believed that people bully, it was stated matter of factly, “Because hurt people, hurt people.” 

The principal also spoke at the end of each session, as a school administrator and as a mom of black children in predominantly white institutions.  The principal’s sharing helped the students fully grasp the gravity of the situation. 

Ms. Q said she almost considered quitting the day she saw the racial slur on her board but didn’t after her students, colleagues, and parents reached out with an outpouring of empathy and kindness as she had never seen before. 

YES Institute’s mission is to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth, through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. Our vision is a community in which all youth develop as healthy individuals free of suicide, violence, and discrimination. 

If you are a parent or a guardian of a young person and need support in resolving bullying incidents they are experiencing, please reach us at [email protected] or 305-663-7195. 

Join us for our upcoming MIND+BODY EMPOWERMENT JOURNEY on Saturday, June 22, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. Register here.