Fostering Constructive Engagement Post U.S. Election-A Conversation with Jan Abernathy

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The Browning School is a historic all-boys K-12 institution in Midtown Manhattan, serving 432 students. They are moving their high school to a new building on 64th Street. In preparation for the post-U.S. election period, Browning has been planning and training staff since January to handle various scenarios involving faculty, students, and parents. This involves role-playing exercises to build comfort with potential conflicts or high-stress interactions. The focus is on creating a safe, respectful environment for students and adults, maintaining nonpartisanship, and managing emotions and misinformation, especially on social media. Communication plays a crucial role, emphasizing transparency aligned with the school's values and mission. For schools unprepared for election-related disruptions, training faculty on appropriate student interactions and managing professional boundaries is advised. They must also ensure staff understand workplace expectations post-election, stressing the importance of resilience and compartmentalization to support the school community effectively.

Keywords

Browning School

Midtown Manhattan

new building

election preparation

role-playing exercises

nonpartisanship