The Intersection of Race, Mental Health & the School-to-Prison Pipeline: Punching the Air

A presentation to teachers at the Iowa City Community School District.

Guest Speakers:

• Dionne Bensonsmith (Mothers on the Frontline, Claremont Graduate University)
• Tammy Nyden (Mothers on the Frontline, Grinnell College)
• Heidi Pierce (University of Iowa Liberal Arts Behind Bars, Kirkwood Community College)

Description of Teacher Training:

Throughout childhood and adolescence, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), especially those who are neurodiverse and / or have mental disorders, are disproportionately impacted by involvement with the criminal legal system in the United States. Ableism and institutionalized racism contribute to the overuse of restraint and seclusion at school and facilitate the school-to-prison pipeline. During this presentation, participants will examine the impact of bias on decisions made in the classroom. Alternatives to compliance-based, punitive, and exclusionary discipline will be explored.