HPE Scoop
Human Trafficking Education in HPE 267
Guest speakers Teresa Fetterley, Jamie Presler, and Kevin Akin were invited by Professor Rachel Fetterley to lead her HPE 267 (Health and Movement Education for Elementary Teachers) in a presentation on human trafficking (HT). This took place in Professor Fetterley’s class during both Fall and Winter semesters. Teresa Fetterley and Jamie Presler are certified A21 Human Trafficking Trainers and Kevin Akin is the principal of Grant High School, where Teresa is a counselor and Jamie is an interventionist and academic coach. Teresa and Jamie are a part of the Michigan Think Tank Team, contributing to the development of A21's Human Trafficking Prevention K-12 Curriculum. The three guest speakers recently presented this curriculum to the MDE and to the Governor's Office.
The presentation was aligned with the safety and social and emotional health content that is part of HPE 267, and students were able to learn first-hand from professionals at the forefront of the creation of a HT curriculum. The K-12 Human Trafficking Education Curriculum is:
- standards-based (aligned to MI Health, SS, & ELA)
- developmentally and age-appropriate
- evidence-informed & evidence-based
Many students were unfamiliar with what HT was and they voiced after the class how much they benefited from learning about the dangers of this crime. The speakers were able to engage them in discussion about the statistics, risk factors, and warning signs to look for in their future classrooms. Students also took part in a 5th grade lesson that was part of the proposed curriculum.
The feedback post- presentation was very positive. Here are some quotes from Professor Fetterley’s students:
“I think it was useful because it is important to know as a future teacher the warning signs to look for with your students to see if they are being human trafficked.”
“I think this training was very useful. I didn't know how prevalent of an issue child trafficking was in the state of Michigan. I also think that the prevention factors were very helpful. I think we forget how great of an impact we can have as educators.”
“Yes, it was useful, because we got to learn more of what educators can do to help prevent human trafficking (and all the aspects that go along with it). It also helped bring more awareness to the topic and the risk factors to be aware of.”
Students were highly engaged and curious, albeit shocked and saddened by some of the statistics. Many voiced how they were extremely appreciative of the opportunity to learn about HT both from the perspective of a college student and a future teacher.
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