By Lorna Doyle
Former Racine High School substitute teacher, Justin Beaton, who was part of the Justin Beaton teacher case in 2022 and was exonerated from false narratives in civil action in 2022, has taken a bold step towards fostering bringing awareness within the school community regarding social boundaries. Beaton, recognizing the significance of social boundaries in shaping school dynamics and preventing inappropriate relationships, has crafted a school boundaries orientation video outline that he has shared with school districts in hopes of curtailing inappropriate behavior.
The program, aptly named “Keeping Boundaries,” seeks to address the subtle yet impactful ways in which social boundaries can influence interactions within educational settings. Drawing from his own experiences and observations, Beaton emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting individual boundaries to cultivate a positive and inclusive school environment.
Through practical steps that staff, students, and schools can take, Beaton encourages staff and students to explore the concept of social boundaries, which emphasizes the importance of limiting outside-of-school communications. The program also emphasizes the importance of approaching the issue rationally and not heavy-handed or from a politically correct lens.
One of the key objectives of the program is to prevent all types of inappropriate staff and student communication, interactions, and relationships once and for all. Beaton believes that by fostering understanding and appreciation for the steps that actually work, staff and students can build stronger connections while still minimizing anything that would be construed as inappropriate.
Moreover, Beaton emphasizes the role of educators and school staff in modeling respectful behavior and creating a supportive atmosphere for staff and students to express their boundaries without crossing the line. By promoting a culture of mutual respect and above-board behavior, he hopes to lay the foundation for a more harmonious school environment free from the dangers of inappropriate behavior.
The potential impact of Beaton’s initiative has been palpable, with schools today being in desperate need of a program like this. Schools today, especially high schools, are not “innocent establishments of learning,” and the training needs to reflect that. By equipping staff and students with the tools to navigate social boundaries thoughtfully, Beaton is not only fostering a culture of respect and understanding but also empowering the schools to tackle this usually unspoken but nonetheless prominent issue head-on. As his program will hopefully gain momentum, Beaton remains committed to creating positive change within his community, one boundary at a time.
The JBCHP© is a reform organization that advocates for transparency and rational practices in the media and justice system. Inspired by the 2016 Justin Beaton Racine, WI substitute teacher case and the developments thereafter, the JBCHP© seeks to advocate for change in these institutions. The organization can be reached at contact@jbchp.org.
