Young people bear witness to challenging or traumatic events in current events, media, and our local communities. Their thoughts, feelings, and reactions enter school spaces whether we introduce conversations or not. We adults have a natural instinct to protect our children from harsh realities and yet prepare them to navigate this complex world - is it possible to do both? What are ways to talk about identity, difference, and justice in age appropriate ways? How do you reinforce school values without shutting down perspectives? How do you facilitate authentic and respectful dialogue across difference? Engage in these questions and more through this interactive session.

1. Meridian School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
Seattle Girls’ School
Talking to Youth
About Complicated and Heated Topics
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

2. About Seattle Girls’ School
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

3. Agenda
 Tough Topics and Current Realities
 Young People’s Experience
 How to Talk to Youth
 How to Facilitate Conversations
 Questions and Answers
 Resources
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

4. Hard Topics in General
 Race
 Gender
 Class
 Religion
 Politics
 Sex
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

5. Current Realities
 COVID-19
 Polarized Politics
 Refugees, Immigrants, Etc.
 Black Lives Matter
 #MeToo, Time’s Up, Etc.
 Climate Change and Denial
 Rise in Homelessness
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

6. Young People’s Experience
 Increase in Anti-Group Sentiment
 Increased Uncivil Discourse
 Rise in Sadness, Fear, and Anxiety
 Increased Acting Out
 And More…
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

7. Generally Hard Topics
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
They’re Just Trying to Understand the World
 Mostly curiosity based
 Find out what they’re actually
saying/asking
 Find out why they’re saying/asking
 Have straightforward and factual talks
 Be explicit about your values
 Model and coach desired behaviors
 100 one-minute conversations

8. How to Talk to Young People
About Current Events
 What have you heard?
 How do you feel?
 What questions do you have?
 How can I support you?
 Here are our values.
 What positive action can you take?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

9. How to Talk to Young People
About Hate and Extremism
 Prepare Yourself
 Be Alert
 Listen
 Reassure
 Be Honest
 Share Your Values
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

10. How to Talk to Young People After
Personal Incidents
 “I want to help you feel strong.”
 Affection, correction, protection
 Emotions are always right; not all
action is always right
 Avoid either/or thinking
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

11. Helping Young People Talk to One Another
 Create Safety and Courage
 Express Feelings
 Generate Questions
 Share Facts
 Learn More
 Complicate Thinking
 Take Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

12. Sharing the Challenges,
Sharing the Wisdom
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
tiny.cc/TalkingPointers

13. Sharing the Challenges,
Sharing the Wisdom
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
 A challenge we couldn’t strategize well
around was…
 A great approach we discussed was…
 I have a question about…
 What if…

14. Questions and Comments
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)

15. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)