The Student Becomes the Trainer — Justice For All (2024)

Impact Report: November 2015

The Student Becomes the Trainer — Justice For All (1)

I looked into a crowd of 200 faces on October 1, as I prepared to deliver a chapel presentation to grades 7-12 at Christian Heritage Academy (CHA) in Oklahoma. In the eight years since I was a high school student sitting in a similar high school auditorium, I've talked with many friends and acquaintances facing unplanned pregnancies or struggling with past abortion decisions. I hoped that this morning I could inspire these teens to get equipped for similar interactions, knowing that they might make the difference for the little ones whose lives will be in the balance in their friends' wombs all too soon.

Not only did Keawe give this pro-life OU student ways to respond to pro-choice concerns, he even went a step further and began to step into the pro-choice role so that the pro-life student could get a chance to practice the conversation. Interactive practice is vital to JFA’s educational philosophy, and Keawe had caught the vision.

The Student Becomes the Trainer — Justice For All (2)

He caught that vision so well, in fact, that the next day he was even able to help a few of his classmates to begin putting their thoughts into words when they were stumped in a conversation. Instead of jumping in and taking the conversation over for them, he helped them stay in the conversation and “learn by doing.”

Two of my high school colleagues decided…to try the survey approach.

One of the two was a bit shyer and had less experience, so I accompanied them just to help out in case they ran into any confusing conversations. At first I just sat on a nearby bench to watch… Once they had reached the end of the survey [with one woman], the two administering it hit a bit of a snag as they seemed unsure how to continue the conversation.

“JFA training staff made 65 presentations to 4,313 people in 2015.”

Seeing the unscheduled dramatic pause, I gingerly got up off the bench and walked over to join the conversation… Since I had been listening to the answers the woman had given during the survey, I readdressed one of the situations in which she had said she would be okay with abortion; however I didn’t correct her… [Instead, I presented] her ideas in ways that my peers were able to recognize [those ideas] as common pro-choice arguments [so that my peers could offer a] rebuttal. By the end of the conversation, we were able to clear up any confusion the woman had had, and she agreed with us on all points.

The Student Becomes the Trainer — Justice For All (3)

“251 volunteers participated in a JFA “Feet Work” outreach event for the first time in 2015.”

When Keawe shared these stories, I was astonished by his ability to converse with pro-choice advocates, but I was even more astonished by how he had caught the vision for training others. This should not have surprised me, though, since JFA had given me the very same gift when I was Keawe’s age. JFA training was what originally equipped me for dialogue, gave me opportunities to practice good conversations, and inspired me to take on the responsibility of training others. It’s simply what JFA does.

“JFA conducted 36 days of outreach on 15 college campuses in 2015.”

This year, JFA trainers started this process with 4,313 people at 65 presentations and workshops, by convicting the hearts of young and old alike about the inhumanity of abortion and the need to create a different kind of conversation about abortion. We took that a step further with 728 participants at 32 seminars, equipping them for dialogue through hours of teaching and interactive practice. Finally, 251 people took the critical step of creating dialogue with pro-choice advocates at a JFA campus outreach event for the first time, and this prepared them to create conversations in their own spheres of influence. It’s a joy to see that for Keawe the process came full circle as he began equipping others to make abortion unthinkable.

- Joanna Wagner, for the JFA Team

Comment

Keawe’s inclination to take what he had learned from JFA and help other pro-life advocates tells us something about his personality and his upbringing, but it also tells us about the encouragement and training he received through the Salt and Light program at his high school, Christian Heritage Academy (CHA). The Salt and Light team endeavors to “train American Christian leaders for every sphere of society,” and we’ve been privileged to partner with CHA and its Salt and Light program since 2007. Salt and Light Director Aaron Ferguson has said, “JFA is the best thing we do as a school.” We’re gratified to hear that, because we think partnering with the CHA community to train world-changers like Keawe is one of the best things we do!

- Steve Wagner, Executive Director

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The Student Becomes the Trainer — Justice For All (2024)

FAQs

What does justice for All do? ›

We do not seek to put courts on a pedestal. Rather, our purpose is to help increase points of contact between the courts and the communities we serve, to facilitate mutual understanding, and help to ensure that the courts are accessible and effective public institutions.

How can a teacher apply social justice in the classroom? ›

Teachers as Role Models for Social Justice

Teachers can create a classroom environment that values and celebrates diversity. This can include displaying multicultural artwork, incorporating diverse literature into the curriculum, and encouraging students to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

What is social justice for students? ›

The social justice in education definition is the equal distribution of resources and treatment to make all students feel valued and safe physically and mentally.

What is the social justice theory of education? ›

Social justice is about distributing resources fairly and treating all students equitably so that they feel safe and secure—physically and psychologically. Sadly, a look at schools across the nation makes it clear that fair distribution of resources and equitable treatment don't always happen.

What does justice for all mean? ›

The Criminal Justice System

According to the government, this means the system must “punish the guilty, protect our liberties and rehabilitate offenders“.

What is the concept of justice for all? ›

This means that every person, regardless of their status, is subject to the same laws and legal proceedings as anyone else, reinforcing the concept of “justice for all.” It embodies the idea that justice should not be the privilege of the few, but the right of all.

How to promote justice in education? ›

What are effective ways to promote social justice in your teaching and mentoring?
  1. Reflect on your own biases and privileges. ...
  2. Cultivate a diverse and inclusive learning environment. ...
  3. Engage students in critical thinking and action. ...
  4. Model and promote empathy and compassion.
Aug 10, 2023

What does it mean to be a teacher for social justice? ›

Some experts define teaching for social justice as having beliefs with an emphasis on ethical values, care, and respect (Marshal & Oliva, 2006). Kohl (2001) argues that to create schools that are socially just, one must advocate for moral responsibility.

How do you engage students in social justice? ›

You can use examples, scenarios, or case studies to illustrate how social justice relates to your subject matter and learning outcomes. You can also invite students to share their own definitions and perspectives on social justice and how they connect to their personal and professional experiences.

What is social justice in simple words? ›

“Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Social workers aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.”

What are the five principles of social justice? ›

The five main principles of social justice include access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights.

What are the four components of social justice education? ›

Divided into four domains—identity, diversity, justice and action (IDJA)—the standards recognize that, in today's diverse classrooms, students need knowledge and skills related to both prejudice-reduction and collective action.

What does social justice education focus on? ›

Social justice in higher education is an emerging equity-minded teaching and learning approach that creates liberating learning environments for students who have historically been marginalized due to their race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, or differing abilities.

What does the Justice for All Act do? ›

What Is the Justice for All Act? The Justice for All Act of 2004 was enacted to protect crime victims' rights, eliminate the substantial backlog of DNA samples collected from crime scenes and convicted offenders, and improve and expand the DNA testing capacity of federal, state, and local crime laboratories.

Is justice for all scripted? ›

At the end of the program, a standard disclaimer is shown which states that "All characters displayed are fictional and any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental." As of the first half of the 2012-13 television season, the three court shows presently produced by Entertainment Studios have been the lowest rated ...

Who funds Justice for All? ›

Justice For All is funded by faith community donors who take a keen interest in the furtherance of human rights both, in the United States and outside its shores.

What is the right of justice of all? ›

(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused. (2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding or any parole proceeding involving the crime, or of any release or escape of the accused.

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