“It's important to talk about these issues”: The Need for Leaders to Establish Connections and Address Students' Experiences and Concernss

Abstract

In this Conversations in Urban Education, high school student leader Sofia Dí­az shares her experience with racial and gender inequity and justice while transitioning into high school in the 2020-2021 school year and attending school virtually and in-person during the continued pandemics of Covid-19 and racial injustice. Díaz provides insights on how educational leaders and staff can build relationships and reach out to students and families in order to support student well-being and safety. Díaz's experiences and observations highlight the myriad issues students and families face and the importance of supporting students through increasing awareness of resources and developing coping skills. Díaz's story underscores the need for educators to Expressions in Urban Educationlicitly address issues that arise in order to improve schooling experiences for students, especially those who continue to experience marginalization.