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Teaching Central America: Celebration of Learning
In a country that is deeply divided, the staff at Bruce Monroe @ Park View Elementary School show how to bridge that gap with a schoolwide exploration of students’ history and culture — and a commitment to activism for justice.
F“READ”OM: ITDS Banned Books Week
Inspired Teaching Demonstration School (ITDS) had a successful inaugural Banned Books Week (September 23rd - 27th). From classroom read-alouds early in the week-long celebration, to guest parent speakers, and culminating in a Banned Book Character Parade, read on to learn more about the variety of ways ITDS championed the freedom to read.
The Most Inspiring Medium: Filmfest DC Classroom Visits 2024
In April 2024, Teaching for Change partnered with Filmfest DC: The Washington, DC, International Film Festival for a thirteenth year to bring filmmakers into D.C. classrooms to share some of their films.
Mario Bencastro Visits Houston Elementary
By Marcy Campos
On Friday, May 3rd, Salvadoran author Mario Bencastro visited Houston Elementary School to share his 2021 bilingual book, Un tren llamado Esperanza, or A Train Called Hope, illustrated by Robert Casilla.
DCPS Fifth Graders Visit the Cuban Embassy
On April 9, 2024, 17 students and their teachers took a field trip to the beautiful early 20th-century building on 16th Street in Washington, D.C. The visit was part of a partnership with the school through the DCPS Embassy Adoption Program. Tubman teachers Susannah Schantz and Suzannah Danforth, along with their students, have collaborated throughout the year with embassy staff to bring lessons on Cuban culture and geography to the fifth-grade class.
Elementary Schoolwide Study of Black Lives Matter Principles
Bruce-Monroe @ Park View Elementary School (DCPS) devotes six weeks to in-depth study of Black Lives Matter principles.
D.C. Students Delighted to Meet Salvadoran Children’s Book Author
Award-winning author and poet Roxana Mendez read her new book at DCPS Tubman Elementary School.
“I, too, am a teacher:” Unapologetically Black Educator Story Lounge 2024
By Vanessa Williams
DCAESJ and EmpowerEd DC’s third annual Unapologetically Black Educator Story Lounge was just as powerful, moving, and joyous as the previously held events.
Your Grandma Is Our Grandma: Smothers ES Uplifts Intergenerational Principle
By Vanessa Williams
There were no fresh baked, chocolate chip cookies in sight. No peppermints being discreetly offered and passed from big to little hands. All of the sweaters appeared to be store-bought, not hand knit. Yet everyone at Smothers Elementary School (DCPS) the morning of their Intergenerational Read Aloud were wrapped in the love, wisdom, and laughter only grandmas can give.
Collective Value Principle Applied to Math Tournament
Bruce-Monroe ES @ Park View, a public elementary school in Washington, D.C., engages students, staff, and families in school-wide activities for Black Lives Matter at School. Each year it hosts a celebration of learning called the Marketplace of Knowledge. Assistant Principal Dr. Tamyka Morant explains…
To Live and Breathe: Kindergartners Meet Local Environmental Activist
By NaVonda Marshall
My kindergarten class went on an inspiring field trip to the Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast D.C. to experience their exhibit, “To Live and Breathe: Women and Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C.,” which was open from May 19th, 2023 - January 7th, 2024.
Teach Central America Carnival of Learning
We were invited back to the strong-knit community at Bruce-Monroe at Parkview for their annual teach-in-style celebration of Central American history and culture.
“[My Students] are the Teachers of the Year”: DCAESJ Working Group Member Beth Barkley Named 2024 DC Teacher of the Year
Beth Barkley is principled. Beth Barkley is humble. Beth Barkley is caring. Beth Barkley is D.C.’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, or, by her words, her students are.
"Liberty and Justice for Who?" D.C. Area Teach Truth Day of Action Rally 2023
DCAESJ partnered with the African American Civil War Museum for a third year to host the #TeachTruth Day of Action rally at the memorial. The D.C. site was one of more than 60 sites across the country – plus more online events – each with a unique approach to uplifting educators in their commitment to teaching the truth.
D.C. History New and Old: Intergenerational Service Learning Day at Girls’ Global Academy
Girls' Global Academy students were busy going out into the community and welcoming visitors to their school, all in recognition of their intergenerational service-learning day.
Screentime That’s Good for Students and Classrooms: Filmfest 2023
In April 2023, Teaching for Change partnered with Filmfest DC: The Washington, DC, International Film Festival for a twelfth year to bring filmmakers into D.C. classrooms to share some of their films.
Black Lives Matter at School Marketplace of Knowledge at Bruce-Monroe ES
On March 24, the entire school community at Bruce-Monroe ES @ Park View (DCPS) was invited to participate in the Black Lives Matter at School Celebration of Learning. The school was transformed into a Marketplace of Knowledge that was the culmination of a six-week project that involved all grade levels in deep explorations of Black Lives Matter.
Brent Elementary District of Columbia: Study Group Spotlight
The D.C. Teaching for Black Lives study group, made up of 14 educators from Brent Elementary (ECE–5), meets once a month. According to Jon Berg, the study group’s coordinator, they started the group “to help educators reflect on their practice and to identify resources that center our Black students in our classrooms — with an emphasis on what is taught and how classrooms are set up to help students engage in civic life.”
Teach the Beat! Swamp Guinee at Seaton ES
Athena Kopsidas welcomed Teach the Beat back to Seaton ES in February for a series of visits that were part of the way Seaton was participating in the Black Lives Matter Week of Action this year. Matt “Swamp Guinee” Miller facilitated the two visits with students in the school cafeteria, leading students through interactive lessons on different percussive instruments used in go-go.
Sweet Cherie at Simon ES During the BLM Week of Action
Children learned about the history and fundamentals of go-go and each child got a chance to play an improvised tune on Sweet Cherie’s bedazzled keyboard. They danced when they heard their name called by the talker, just like at a go-go.