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When it seems that tragedies are happening in rapid succession, we evoke a quote from educator and television host Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. As a boy, his mother told him that when scary thing happen to “look for the helpers.”

Invariably, issues are raised in classrooms that bring charged responses from students. How can educators set the stage for safe, respectful dialogue and learning?

An active shooter training video produced in southern California leaves one teacher feeling offended and traumatized.

When a teacher accompanies her students to see the film Bully, she asks important questions about how adults in the school building handle the issue.

When students express outrage over the “rape culture” in another country, the teacher brings the discussion closer to home for further exploration.

How to challenge language prejudice in the classroom.

As teachers, our open discussion of tragedies like Sandy Hook is something we can do, today, that will contribute to clear thinking and ethical pedagogy.

In Oakland, Calif., there are a lot of homicides especially for a fairly small city of about 400,000 people. Last July, there were seven homicides in seven days. Victims ranged in age from 15 to 84. Six of them occurred near the school where I taught. One was a friend of many of my former students and a cousin of a little girl I mentor.

When the news about the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School broke on Friday, we quickly issued some advice for teachers heading back to school on Monday.

There is no greater blow to a society than when its children are harmed. Today, we are reeling.