Meeting The Moment: Making Space for Difficult Conversations

Exploring and discussing current events, big emotions, and arising conflicts is a growth opportunity for both adults and children, but it can be daunting and uncomfortable. As educators, we may hesitate or withdraw in fear of saying the “wrong” thing or needing space to first process our own thoughts and feelings on these critical, and sometimes tragic, events or issues. Talking with young people about the ongoing changes and conflicts in our world can be difficult and emotionally taxing but it's vital that we acknowledge, include and uplift youth voices. In this workshop, we provide and practice concrete strategies that afford us all the space and time to feel affirmed, validated, and courageous enough to be in conversation about the things in our lives weighing heavy on minds and hearts.

This is an interactive workshop and will not be recorded.

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Your Facilitator

Tala Manassah, Deputy Executive Director. Since joining Morningside Center in 2009, Tala has led the development and rapid expansion of our collaborative effort with the NYC Department of Education to introduce restorative practices and promote racial equity in the NYC public schools. Tala served on Mayor De Blasio's Commission on School Climate and Culture, and on Chancellor Carmen Farina's advisory council on social and emotional learning. Before coming to Morningside Center, Tala was the founding executive director of the Middle East Children's Institute (MECI). In 2008, MECI was recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative, and became one of CGI's Member Commitments. Tala has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Masters in the Humanities from the University of Chicago.