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November 8, 2024
In the aftermath of a divisive election, Re-Imagining Migration offers essential strategies and resources to empower educators in creating supportive, inclusive environments for immigrant students and fostering resilience within school communities.
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By Adam Strom and Meisha Lamb-Bell
The election reveals that we remain a deeply divided nation in a deeply divided world. The political cycle—marred by stereotypes, disinformation, and misinformation about immigrants and their impact on our communities—has left many of you feeling deeply concerned for yourselves, your students and the young people in your lives.
What can educators do to support each other and their immigrant students in the aftermath of the election?
In the wake of a deeply divisive election, it is crucial for educators to take proactive steps to support immigrant students and foster a sense of belonging in schools. Here are key strategies to help navigate this challenging landscape:
Now more than ever, taking the time to get to know your students personally is vital. Learning their names, understanding their backgrounds, and encouraging the sharing of migration stories can create a safe and supportive environment. Self-reflection on biases and assumptions about immigrant youth and their families is also crucial.
In this charged atmosphere, it is essential to investigate and reinforce school policies that clearly state that anti-immigrant bullying is unacceptable. Addressing any instances of taunting, teasing or bullying is imperative. Creating inclusive climates and implementing supportive policies are vital components of a welcoming environment for all students.
Representation is critical, especially when students feel marginalized. It is important to ensure that diverse languages, identities, and cultures are honored and reflected in hallways, public spaces and curricula. This recognition not only affirms students' identities but also fosters a sense of pride and belonging.
Analyzing migration's impact on local communities and tracing historical patterns of cultural diversity can help students appreciate the significance of migration as well as foster empathy and understanding among peers.
Offering language support, social and emotional resources, and ensuring accessibility of services are crucial for the success of immigrant students. This is an opportune time to strengthen collaboration between school counselors, advisers and classroom teachers to create a network of support for all of your students.
Given the increasing anti-immigrant rhetoric, immigrant families may feel hesitant to engage with school staff. Building trust and supporting parents in navigating the school system can enhance community involvement and improve students' educational experiences. Providing resources and creating welcoming spaces for families can make a significant difference.
By implementing these strategies, educators can help immigrant students feel valued and supported, fostering a school environment that prioritizes belonging, understanding and resilience.
As significant as the challenges ahead might feel, Re-Imagining Migration remains steadfast in our conviction that building belonging for young people and promoting an understanding of migration as central to the story of our world are necessary for long-term change. Now, more than ever, we are proud to stand with educators who are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of their students.
By implementing these strategies, educators can help immigrant students feel valued and supported, fostering a school environment that prioritizes belonging, understanding and resilience.
Here are a few practical tools you can use in classrooms and in conversations with fellow educators.
Recognizing that many of you are feeling vulnerable, we are here to help. Consider exploring the Re-Imagining Migration self-assessment tool to get individually tailored support. Indeed, it is imperative that we center care and compassion for our students and the educators who serve them. Please reach out with suggestions for how we can partner to maximize impact. None of us are in this alone. In the meantime, look for new resources and learning opportunities from Re-Imagining Migration. This work is not optional; it's not a side issue—it is fundamental to the resilience of our communities, country, and the world.
Adam Strom has a proven track record of leveraging education to build belonging and develop an understanding of the roots of polarization and hate. He is the Executive Director of Re-Imagining Migration, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the education and well-being of immigrant-origin youth, decrease bias and hatred against young people of diverse origins, and help rising generations develop the understanding and habits of heart and mind that are necessary to build and sustain welcoming and inclusive communities. Before helping to found Re-Imagining Migration, Adam was a long-time member of the senior leadership team at Facing History and Ourselves, where he led the content development team. The educational resources developed under Adam’s direction have been used in tens of thousands of classrooms and experienced by millions of students worldwide, including numerous resource books, study guides, and films on identity, immigration, and prejudice.
Meisha Lamb-Bell is the Program Director at Re-Imagining Migration. Meisha is a dedicated educator with a profound commitment to expanding social impact through fostering equitable access to education, vital resources, and purposeful programming. As a Questbridge scholar, Meisha’s unwavering dedication lies in cultivating inclusive academic environments that not only ignite a lifelong passion for learning but also galvanize collective action. Throughout her academic journey at Brown University, Meisha actively engaged in endeavors aimed at enhancing college access and facilitating successful matriculation. After graduating from Brown, Meisha started her career in public finance, optimizing funding for the higher education and nonprofit team. Before joining RIM, she served as a classroom teacher where she prioritized student joy, community building, and illuminating and eliminating covert and compounding barriers to equity.
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