Coaches from Taunton High School are taking an important step forward in building safe, respectful and welcoming spaces for student-athletes. Recently, 25 members of the coaching staff at the high school and middle school levels completed Northeastern University’s Addressing Hate in Schools and School Sports (AHIS) Train-the-Trainer Institute, a program led by the Center for the Study of Sport in Society.
The training gave coaches strategies to address bias, discrimination and hate, not only in athletics but across all areas of school life. Through case studies, group discussions and practice leading difficult conversations, participants built skills to guide students and colleagues in navigating sensitive topics with empathy and understanding.
Volleyball Coach Amanda Machado said the experience will influence both her work on the court and in the classroom. “The Northeastern training provided me with invaluable tools to confront hate and bias within our athletic programs, but these lessons extend far beyond the realm of sports,” she said. “I feel much better equipped to create respectful spaces, not only for my athletes, but also for my biology students, and for all students across our district.”
Field Hockey Coach Liz Hathaway also shared that the program opened her eyes to new perspectives. “I walked away with a deeper understanding of how we can approach sensitive situations, as well as how others might see and experience these situations differently,” Hathaway said. “I feel much more equipped to handle these situations in a way that is mindful, inclusive and productive.”
Athletic Director Rapheal Dowdye noted that the training is an extension of the values THS athletics already strives to uphold. “Our coaches set the tone for what athletics represents in Taunton: teamwork, belonging and respect,” Dowdye said. “By engaging in this training, they are making sure our student-athletes feel valued and supported, on and off the field.”
Superintendent John J. Cabral added that the program aligns closely with the district’s overall mission. “We are committed to ensuring that every student feels a true sense of belonging in our schools,” Cabral said. “This training equips our coaches with practical tools to address hate and bias, reinforcing the values of respect and inclusion that guide Taunton Public Schools."
Now that they have completed the AHIS Institute, Taunton coaches can share what they’ve learned through trainings within the district. By building on these skills, THS aims to ensure that all students feel safe, supported and respected — whether in the classroom, on the field or in the community.