In schools around the world, every staff member has a critical role to play in keeping students safe. In this episode, we're joined by veteran school counselor Cheryl-Ann Weekes who, with over 25 years of experience, shares her passion for normalizing mental health discussions and her expertise in child protection.
Cheryl-Ann discusses the subtle but important red flags of student distress, the critical mistakes to avoid when a student makes a disclosure, and why every single adult—from teachers to operations staff—needs to be trained on safeguarding policies. She also shares her personal journey into counseling and her vision for a future where every school has a clear, written protocol to protect its students.
💬 Quotes from the Episode:
"The biggest red flag is a sudden change in behavior... you'll start to see students who were usually very social, then they are not as social."
"I think the biggest no-no is... 'I won't tell anyone.'"
"I just felt like my impact would be more useful there than in business... and so, what I did is I graduated the next year, and I went straight to grad school."
"I think what I'm hoping to see is that every school has some type of protocol, something written down... so that teachers understand what is expected."
📌 Key Insights:
Look for Sudden Behavioral Changes: Pay attention to shifts in a student's behavior, like social withdrawal, irritability, or wearing clothing that covers their body, as these can be signs of distress or abuse.
Don't Make Promises You Can't Keep: As a mandated reporter, you can never promise a student confidentiality. Instead, be honest and clear: "I am here to listen and support you, but I cannot promise to keep this to myself."
Establish a School-Wide Protocol: Every school needs a written safeguarding policy that is shared and reviewed annually with all staff—from teachers and counselors to teaching assistants and maintenance teams.
Start with Existing Resources: If your school does not have a formal safeguarding protocol, you don't have to start from scratch. Use existing policies from other international schools or organizations like CIS as a guide to begin developing your own.
Continue to Provide Support: After a student has made a disclosure, it's crucial to continue being a trusted adult they can turn to. Establish systems, like a pass for a quiet break, to help them navigate their new reality.
🛑 Conclusion:
The responsibility to protect students is one we all share. By recognizing the signs, responding with care, and empowering yourself and your colleagues with clear protocols, you can help create a truly safe and supportive environment for your students. For a deeper dive, be sure to check out Cheryl-Ann Weekes' course, Consent and Safe Spaces, K-12.
To learn more about professional development, virtual events, and exciting career opportunities in international education, visit isss.edu/events. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep making a positive impact in the world of education.
