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01-02-2016 | Original Paper

They Just Respect You for Who You Are: Contributors to Educator Positive Youth Development Promotion for Somali, Latino, and Hmong Students

Authors: Michele L. Allen, Maira Rosas-Lee, Luis Ortega, Mikow Hang, Shannon Pergament, Rebekah Pratt

Published in: Journal of Prevention | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Youth from immigrant communities may experience barriers to connecting with schools and teachers, potentially undermining academic achievement and healthy youth development. This qualitative study aimed to understand how educators serving Somali, Latino, and Hmong (SLH) youth can best promote educator–student connectedness and positive youth development, by exploring the perspectives of teachers, youth workers, and SLH youth, using a community based participatory research approach. We conducted four focus groups with teachers, 18 key informant interviews with adults working with SLH youth, and nine focus groups with SLH middle and high school students. Four themes emerged regarding facilitators to educators promoting positive youth development in schools: (1) an authoritative teaching approach where teachers hold high expectations for student behavior and achievement, (2) building trusting educator–student relationships, (3) conveying respect for students as individuals, and (4) a school infrastructure characterized by a supportive and inclusive environment. Findings suggest a set of skills and educator–student interactions that may promote positive youth development and increase student-educator connectedness for SLH youth in public schools.

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Title: They Just Respect You for Who You Are: Contributors to Educator Positive Youth Development Promotion for Somali, Latino, and Hmong Students
Authors: Michele L. Allen
Maira Rosas-Lee
Luis Ortega
Mikow Hang
Shannon Pergament
Rebekah Pratt
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Prevention / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 2731-5533
Electronic ISSN: 2731-5541
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-015-0415-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

They Just Respect You for Who You Are: Contributors to Educator Positive Youth Development Promotion for Somali, Latino, and Hmong Students

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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