Understanding Educational Experiences of Belonging for Incarcerated Males

Having worked with in-risk teens for the past 17 years, along with researching incarcerated male teens, it is apparent that many dysregulated youths are leaving school early and getting involved in deviant behaviours. Rather than looking for ways to connect with in-risk youth, many educational professionals respond with judgement and consequences in the form of punishment. It is imperative that we learn about the lived experiences of our in-risk teens, and in turn understand why they are dysregulated. I have come to understand that to reach in-risk youth we need to find ways to create and build connection and understanding. This podcast hopes to share the connection between in-risk youth’s educational experiences and the potential of getting involved in criminal activity, along with sharing ways that educators can shift their practice with the intent of connecting with their students in a trauma informed manner. As we connect with our youth, and they begin to feel a greater sense of belonging, we can in turn impact their academic engagement, community involvement, and potentially reduce the risk of pushing students out of the educational system early and into criminal activity. This podcast addresses areas of equity, student success, retention, and recidivism.