Kristilynn Turney, Ed.D.Keynote Speaker, Salem Speakers Bureau · TEDx Ensley Ave ED 2026 I Dynamic Speaker & Presenter I Author I Transforming Schools Through Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and School Improvement I Results-Driven Educational Leader | E

(Episode 02)What Happens When Those Who Need School Most Feel Least Welcome? | Dr. Kristilynn Turney

27 Dec 2025 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:56

In this episode, Dr. Kristilynn Turney reflects on her experience as an assistant principal responsible for student discipline, critiquing the traditional punitive, black‑and‑white approach that simply records infractions and issues consequences. She connects this to a video that illustrates how students who feel unwelcome may carry hidden burdens. Turney proposes a more compassionate, relational practice: when a student repeatedly leaves class or accumulates multiple passes, staff should pause to ask, “Is everything okay?” rather than merely noting the count. This shift from mere compliance tracking to genuine check‑ins aims to uncover underlying issues, build trust, and foster a supportive school climate for students who need it most.

Chapters

So one connection that I had to this video, I think about my days as an assistant principal. And so when I was assistant principal, I was tasked with discipline, right? Yes. And so student would misbehave, break the code of conduct, and then we would issue the discipline. So it was pretty black and white, right? You know, and now I look back and I think about that video and some of the heaviness that the students might have been feeling. Maybe a way of saying, Hey, I noticed you've already had 5 passes today. Is everything okay? Right? Instead of saying, I noticed you have 5 passes. That's it. You've been to the bathroom 5 times. There might be an issue, right? And so here is that opportunity for us to have that compassion and to build and develop a relationship with that student.