South Whidbey staff launch ‘Speak Up’ family training to help students interrupt biased language

South Whidbey School District staff on a recent family training described a districtwide Speak Up program that teaches four short strategies—interrupt, echo, question and educate—to help students and adults interrupt biased or hurtful language and build classroom norms.

The presenter said the district began staff training in August after work introduced by Dr. Clifford and that all staff from bus drivers to high school teachers have completed up to three trainings so far. "We have to make sure every single child feels safe at school," the presenter said, summarizing the district's rationale for the work.

Why it matters: District officials said the goal is cultural change rather than a one-time lesson. Staff described pocket guides for teachers and badge-sized reminders for adults, grade-band lesson templates adapted for developmental levels, and a six-month cohort for administrators and teachers to take a deeper dive into hate-speech and interruption techniques.

The training draws on materials from…