Pamela Cantor, M.D. and Nora Gomperts of Turnaround Publish Commentary for NASBE

Photo Credit: NASBE

Turnaround for Children Founder and Senior Science Advisor, Pamela Cantor, M.D., and Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy and Operations, Nora Gomperts, wrote a commentary for the National Association of School Boards of Education (NASBE).

In the article, “Three Strategies to Optimize Students’ Learning and Development in Today’s Context,” Cantor and Gomperts explain how the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the societal unrest we’re experiencing today as we confront police brutality and systemic oppression, may cause trauma, pain and fear for many students – but especially Black children.

“Positive developmental contexts are always necessary for learning, development, and equity, but they are especially critical now, with all students experiencing disruption and Black students facing continued racial violence, which threatens their physical and emotional safety. If educational leaders focus exclusively or primarily on content acquisition rather than an integrated approach to learning and development, they will not enable students to surmount this crisis. They will instead be exacerbating existing inequities and preventing students from reaching their potential.”

Cantor and Gomperts stress that there has never been a better moment to apply the principles of whole-child design to learning settings. However, to accomplish this change, educators must prioritize The New Three Rs, which puts emphasis on creating strong relationships, building routines, and developing skills and mindsets that help build resilience.

Read the full commentary here.