A school where every student can thrive

hen the New Rochelle Federation of United School Employees started its Social Justice Committee, one of its goals was to bring NYSUT’s transformative Sticks and Stones workshop series to the district.

“I was first introduced to Sticks and Stones in 2022 when I received a two-day virtual training. I was blown away by how powerful the material was at identifying biases without being accusatory,” said Aisha Cook, New Rochelle FUSE vice president of pedagogic staff. “It helped me to recognize where stereotypes come from and to understand that unless we consciously address our own biases, we continue the cycle. I was excited to become a trainer in order to give others the same experience I had received.”

Located in Westchester County, the New Rochelle district serves almost 10,000 students and is nearly 80 percent nonwhite. In 2025, the New Rochelle FUSE, led by President Mary Breslin, and the district made a three-year committment to train the entire staff under the NYSUT implicit bias program.

The NYSUT Social Justice Department, led by Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham, worked with FUSE and the district administration to create a program that would have the largest impact on the district.

“We launched this effort with the goal of reaching as many educators as possible,” Abraham said. “To see this kind of collaboration to bring the program to an entire district shows us the level of commitment educators have to advancing racial justice in our schools and communities.”

Creating schools “where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered begins with reflection, growth, and a shared commitment to excellence,” said New Rochelle Superintendent Corey W. Reynolds. “Through this districtwide professional learning series, we are strengthening our collective capacity and examining the impact of implicit bias on our practices, relationships, and systems so that we can better serve every member of our community.”

Fifteen trainers, including several New Rochelle employees and both in-service and retired NYSUT members, facilitate the training at three district professional development days. Workshops are offered three times over the course of the day so the more than 1,300 FUSE members and district administrators across 11 buildings are all receiving the same information — and moving forward together as a school community.

“This work puts our vision, mission, and equity commitments into action by fostering inclusive, affirming, and equitable learning environments where every student can thrive,” said Reynolds.

By the end of the three-year committment, district staff will have completed both Sticks and Stones: Understanding Implicit Bias, Microaggressions, and Stereotypes and Sticks and Stones 2.0: Continuing the Conversation. Professionals also receive Continuing Teacher Leader Education hours.

Addressing our own implicit biases and understanding the foundations of microaggressions is not easy or comfortable.

“It’s a heavy lift, but absolutely worth the effort,” said Cook. “We are changing hearts and minds on a large scale and the impact is exponential!”

For more info on NYSUT Social Justice or how you can bring the Sticks and Stones training to your district, visit nysut.org/socialjustice.

Aug. 3–4 NYSUT’s Many Threads, One Fabric initiative is hosting a training of trainers for all four workshops offered by the union. Trainers receive a stipend for each workshop they facilitate. Learn more and register at nysut.cc/tot.