At this year’s Early Educator Leadership Forum, Latrelle Nicholson reminded us of a hard truth: bullying can begin as early as age three—and it can deeply undermine a child’s sense of safety, belonging, and capacity to learn. But her message was equally clear: educators can change that story.
Nicholson, an educator and DEI trainer, shared the details of the Change Project she created while taking Leading for Change, our entrepreneurial leadership program. Her project is an anti-bullying curriculum grounded in a simple but transformative idea: kindness.
“Even though systems fail,” she told the audience, “we don’t have to.”
Through eight weekly lessons, educators teach and model kindness, track progress through simple data collection, and create safer, more respectful classroom environments. Teachers are encouraged to tally observed acts of kindness and negative peer interactions—small steps that build big insights over time.
Backed by her doctoral research and inspired by heartbreaking real-world stories of youth affected by bullying, Nicholson emphasized that this work begins early. “Twenty-five percent of children ages three to five experience bullying,” she shared. “That’s why we must act now.”
Nicholson’s theory of change is rooted in a belief that when children are taught to be kind in consistent, engaging ways, it shifts the social dynamics of the classroom and fosters a foundation of mutual respect. Her goal: reduce negative interactions, increase a sense of belonging, and give children the emotional tools to resolve conflict.
Her remarks were not only a call for reform—but also an invitation to collaborate. Nicholson said she is looking for fellow educators, administrators, policymakers, and community organizations to join her effort, help implement the curriculum, and refine it through real-world application.
“This is something we can do. We will make a difference,” she concluded. “Join me.”
Leading for Change in Early Care and Education was developed by Early Education Leaders and anchors all of our programs. Participants learn how to lead for change to improve program quality and promote equity in early care and education. Leading for Change is currently offered to early educators in Massachusetts at UMass Boston and also in partnership with the MA Department of Early Education and Care through its statewide network of StrongStart Professional Development Centers. Leading for Change is also offered to early educators in Maryland through the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Education Program at the Shriver Center at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Key and Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development & Early Learning. It was offered to educators in California through a pilot program.
