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Lesson Plan

Speak Up in School

This guide is for the adults in school, and offers advice about how to respond to remarks made by students and by other adults and gives guidance for helping students learn to speak up as well.
Someone holds a cardboard sign to their side. The sign reads, in large bubble letters: "Silence is violence."
Published: June 2023

"Many of the questions we receive are from educators seeking advice about how to respond when someone—a student, a colleague, even a parent—uses biased language or stereotypes in school. This guide is our response. It’s for educators who want to develop the skills to speak up themselves and who want to help their students find the courage to speak up too.

This guide is for the adults in the school. It offers advice about how to respond to remarks made by students and by other adults and gives guidance for helping students learn to speak up as well. We believe that modeling the kind of behavior we want from students is one of the most effective ways of teaching it." - Learning for Justice

Link to Lesson

Ready, Set, Grow!

OEA provides high-quality, member-led professional learning to help educators improve their professional practice, support student success and excellence, and build community with other educators across Oregon.
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Take Action for Public Education

We are on a mission to dismantle unjust systems and build the world our students deserve. Together, as educators and allies, we can take actions to help all students—of all colors and backgrounds—learn, grow, and fulfill their potential.
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Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education

The Oregon Education Association (OEA) is a union committed to the cause of providing the basic right of great public education to every student. OEA represents about 41,000 educators working in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public schools and community colleges. OEA’s membership includes licensed teachers and specialists, classified/education support professionals (ESPs), community college faculty, retired educators, and student members. OEA members also belong to the 3.2 million members of the National Education Association (NEA).