Wake, Durham, Cumberland Co. superintendents on teen violence: 'Home and schools fail young people'
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Schools across the country are seeing teen violence and this topic is top of mind for school leaders in the Triangle. The CDC refers to it as a serious public health problem that can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity and well-being. According to education experts, with few resources and no solutions, teen violence could potentially lead to us losing a generation of young people.
ABC11 Eyewitness News' Akilah Davis sat down for an exclusive discussion with Wake County Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, Durham Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis and Cumberland County Schools (CCSS) Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy to talk school safety, teen violence, and how to attract more qualified teachers to the profession.
Akilah Davis: When we speak about gun violence, where are we failing at-risk teens. Is it at home? Is it at school? Is it both?
Dr. Robert Taylor, (WCPSS): I think it's a combination of all those things. What we recognize is that anything we see at school, quite often is a manifestation of what we see in neighborhoods and communities. It is about knowing and understanding. It's not a singular thing. It's multifaceted. We have to address that in different places that it takes place. It's not just schools.
Dr. Anthony Lewis, (DPS): When we think about guns or weapons that make it into our schools, they're either stolen from a cars or stolen from homes. Cars are not gun safes. And so, as parents, how often do we ask parents are you a gun owner? Are your guns kept safe? The more we can talk about gun safety, I think that as adults, community and society, that's where we're failing our young people.
Davis: So is it both? Home and school?
Lewis: Oh, absolutely. And community.
Dr. Eric Bracy, (CCS): I would just agree with everything they said. I know I'm going to date myself here, but there was something in the 70's called Effective Schools Research and it really focused on positive relationships between home and school. I just think we as educators need to keep those relationships tight. Communicate to mama in a positive light because when you have to talk about the negative, that's a better conversation.
Davis: Teen violence is something that we're seeing schools and community try and tackle. What are some programs in your schools that could potentially help solve this problem. Let's start with you.
Dr. Taylor: We have a whole host of specific mentoring programs. One of the things we have to make sure that any approach we take does not violate diversity, equity and inclusion. There could be some things that are very intentional. The Black Male Mentoring Club by Black male mentors, but knowing we have to expand that to everyone. So, it is about those kinds of supports for students.
Dr. Lewis: I think there's an opportunity to continue to engage students in this process. What I mean by that is building relationships with our students. So much so that they feel comfortable telling any adult if they are being bullied or if they are being bullied or thinking about bringing a weapon. One of our goals this coming year to work on is, and it's going to take some time, but I want every single student in my district to have a mentor whether internal or external. Here's why: often times when you build relationships and have those connections and they know you truly have their best interest at heart, if they are thinking about putting a weapon in their bookbag, they're immediately thinking about what will Mr. Jones or Ms. Smith think about this. Accountability.
Dr. Bracy: We have several mentoring programs as well, but what I've learned since I've been in Cumberland. It is an amazingly supportive community. Our faith-based leaders are really supportive and always there for us. Whether we need them to mentor, encourage or however we need them to be part of the school system in a positive way.
The superintendents said everyone is responsible for the next generation because it is a community effort. Part three of this conversation will center around their leadership, the nationwide teacher shortage and what needs to be done to attract more African American male teachers to the profession.
