You Are Welcome: Creating Safe & Supportive Schools

Students learn best when they feel physically and emotionally safe, connected to school, challenged academically, and respected by adults. This 30-minute public television program--produced by REL Midwest's Making Equitable Schools Audit (MESA) partnership with WVIZ/Ideastream Public Media--spotlights efforts in Akron Public Schools to foster safe and supportive school environments.

The documentary highlights the MESA approach, designed to help a school leverage community-wide relationships and data to build more equitable and welcoming experiences for a school community. The program features school leaders, educators, and students from Ellet Community Learning Center and East Community Learning Center in Akron, Ohio. In addition, the documentary includes commentary from experts Greta Colombi (American Institutes for Research), Dr. Jameela Conway-Turner (REL Midwest), and Dr. Devon Carter (University of Akron), discussing research on safe and supportive school environments and the importance of culturally responsive teaching practices.