When historian Carter G. Woodson was calling for the first Negro History Week in the 1920s — which would go on to become what we now celebrate as Black History Month — he said of his efforts, “This crusade is much more important than the anti-lynching movement, because there would be no lynching if it did not start in the schoolroom.”
A few years ago I was in the classroom of predominantly Latin American students in D.C. The teacher had invited Experience Unlimited’s Sugar Bear to speak to the children about his music career as part of “Teach the Beat: Go-Go Goes to School,” where artists are looking to infuse D.C.’s rich and unique tradition of go-go into the curriculum.
Jenkins, who is a lawyer, says the best way to make the systemic changes that are needed is through education — a system that he acknowledges needs changing as much as any, “It’s critically important that our American history curriculum be modified, starting with primary- and secondary-school students,” he said. (He serves on the board of Teaching for Change, a national nonprofit based in the District that promotes social change through education.)
I’ve invited non Black people who are in someway connected to youth literature to share a list of 5-10 books written or illustrated by Blacks that will appeal to children. I asked for anything from board books and graphic novels to biographies and adult crossover. The authors or illustrators could be living or dead, U.S. residents or not. Today’s guest is Deborah Menkart… executive director of the education activist, non-profit organization Teaching for Change.
Seven states launched commissions designed to oversee state mandates to teach black history in public schools in recent years… To meet the rising demand for resources, at least six Black History textbooks are on the market, as well as lesson plans on websites including Teaching Tolerance, Teaching for Change, Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools.
Allyson Criner Brown, Teaching for Change’s associate director and manager of the Tellin’ Stories parent empowerment project, reflects on family engagement in a moving essay for Teaching When the World Is on Fire, edited by Lisa Delpit (The New Press, 2019).
Published on Sep 1, 2019 by Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
Dozens of teachers across the country taught about the civil rights movement in a more nuanced way this year. They highlighted stories of grassroots activists and women in addition to traditional lessons of heroes like Martin Luther King. The project began with a summer institute at Duke University designed by a team of scholars and civil rights veterans, the SNCC Legacy Project, and Teaching for Change. It was co-directed by Sanford Professor Bob Korstad and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) veteran Judy Richardson. (Download PDF of article)
Archives: Press
Teachers are reinventing how Black history, anti-racism are taught in schools as system falls short
Published on Jun 30, 2020 by Good Morning America
When historian Carter G. Woodson was calling for the first Negro History Week in the 1920s — which would go on to become what we now celebrate as Black History Month — he said of his efforts, “This crusade is much more important than the anti-lynching movement, because there would be no lynching if it did not start in the schoolroom.”
The Beat Don’t Stop: TV One’s Long-Awaited Go-Go Documentary Airs Tonite
Published on Jun 21, 2020 by Medium
A few years ago I was in the classroom of predominantly Latin American students in D.C. The teacher had invited Experience Unlimited’s Sugar Bear to speak to the children about his music career as part of “Teach the Beat: Go-Go Goes to School,” where artists are looking to infuse D.C.’s rich and unique tradition of go-go into the curriculum.
CNN Town Hall with Sesame Street
Published on Jun 6, 2020 by CNN
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum recommended Social Justice Books during the CNN Sesame Street Coming Together Town Hall (at 6:55 min).
A protest is just a start — now the real work begins
Published on Jun 2, 2020 by The Washington Post
Jenkins, who is a lawyer, says the best way to make the systemic changes that are needed is through education — a system that he acknowledges needs changing as much as any, “It’s critically important that our American history curriculum be modified, starting with primary- and secondary-school students,” he said. (He serves on the board of Teaching for Change, a national nonprofit based in the District that promotes social change through education.)
15 Classroom Resources for Discussing Racism, Policing, and Protest
Published on Jun 2, 2020 by Education Week
For teachers looking for more classroom resources—for themselves and their students—Education Week has compiled the following list.
Black books: Deborah Menkart
Published on Feb 26, 2020 by CRAZYQUILTEDI
I’ve invited non Black people who are in someway connected to youth literature to share a list of 5-10 books written or illustrated by Blacks that will appeal to children. I asked for anything from board books and graphic novels to biographies and adult crossover. The authors or illustrators could be living or dead, U.S. residents or not. Today’s guest is Deborah Menkart… executive director of the education activist, non-profit organization Teaching for Change.
How Black Lives Matter Is Changing What Students Learn During Black History Month
Published on Feb 6, 2020 by TIME
Seven states launched commissions designed to oversee state mandates to teach black history in public schools in recent years… To meet the rising demand for resources, at least six Black History textbooks are on the market, as well as lesson plans on websites including Teaching Tolerance, Teaching for Change, Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools.
How Educators Are Rethinking The Way They Teach Immigration History
Published on Jan 9, 2020 by Yes! Magazine
At Boston Latin School teachers are changing the way they prepare their students to think critically about immigration policy.
New Lisa Delpit Book Features Teaching for Change Essay on Engaging Black Parents
Published on Oct 23, 2019 by The New Press
Allyson Criner Brown, Teaching for Change’s associate director and manager of the Tellin’ Stories parent empowerment project, reflects on family engagement in a moving essay for Teaching When the World Is on Fire, edited by Lisa Delpit (The New Press, 2019).
“The Civil Rights Movement: Grassroots Perspectives (1940—1980)” Summer Institute Receives NEH Grant
Published on Sep 1, 2019 by Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
Dozens of teachers across the country taught about the civil rights movement in a more nuanced way this year. They highlighted stories of grassroots activists and women in addition to traditional lessons of heroes like Martin Luther King. The project began with a summer institute at Duke University designed by a team of scholars and civil rights veterans, the SNCC Legacy Project, and Teaching for Change. It was co-directed by Sanford Professor Bob Korstad and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) veteran Judy Richardson. (Download PDF of article)