Courageous Conversations: Why They Matter & How to Have Them

On Tuesday, October 20, English Department and Humanities Coordinator Barbara Whitlock offered a master class on engaging in civil discussions in public and private spaces.
If you missed it, watch Mrs. Whitlock's talk now.

As students, parents, alumnae, friends and interested listeners from across three continents tuned in to hear the LifeCompass Institute webinar, Courageous Conversations: Why They Matter & How to Have Them,  Mrs. Whitlock asked, "In this election year, can we pause and reflect on how we are preparing our children and students for civic life?" 

"When it comes to politics, our expectations are often low," said Mrs. Whitlock. "Rather than expect people to demonstrate their best humanity, we anticipate their worst. And sadly, we let ourselves join in. But, we can do better. Our children and students need us to do better." To help us do better, she shared four key strategies for courageous conversations.

 
Barbara Whitlock is in her ninth year teaching English and history at Montrose, and she serves as a club advisor to the student newspaper, writing club and the Multicultural Club. Barbara earned her BA in Political Science and Journalism at Rider University, did graduate work in Political Philosophy at the University of Virginia, and is currently a Kern Foundation fellow studying for an MA in Character Education at the University of Birmingham (UK) in conjunction with the Jubilee Centre for Character & Virtue. She is nearing her third decade of teaching, including at Middlesex School, where she has lived with her husband and raised five daughters for the past 34 years, the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, and 15 years of homeschooling.
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