This Is How I Am Using The 1619 Project in My Class

Teaching slavery is hard, and I would argue teaching slavery to majority Black students is even more challenging. I tell students all the time that, given…

We’ll Never Agree on CRT, but We Can All Agree We Want to Produce Students Who Do Good

Our world has been forever changed as a result of the pandemic as well as the racial unrest of 2020. We learned new ways of…

I’m All for Seeking Out Different Perspectives, but Let’s Teach History With the Truth in Mind

You’ve all heard the phrase. You might have even said it yourself: Schools should teach history from the perspective of the time. It certainly sounds…

Three (Ignorant) Arguments Used to Ban Critical Race Theory

To understand the legislative attacks on Critical Race Theory (CRT) that aim to make teaching CRT in schools—including concepts like white supremacy, systemic racism, and the like—illegal,…

Since Critical Race Theory Is Being Called ‘Indoctrination,’ Let’s Go There

I wanna have a heart to heart with my Black people real quick. Last week I found out Idaho passed a bill to ban the…

For Teacher Appreciation Week, Let’s Give Teachers Something They Really Want

I wanted to write the standard feel-good piece for Teacher Appreciation Week. I really did, but it just felt inauthentic. Don’t get me wrong. I…

We Can’t Protect Our Students From Racism, But We Can Prepare Them to Combat and Reject It

On January 6, when an angry mob stormed the Capitol, I was in the middle of teaching my 7th grade English language arts students about…

The Only Cure for White Supremacy Is To Teach Students Real American History

On January 6, as my students were learning about the history of trench warfare during World War I, I had no idea that our own…

For Black History Month, Start with Local History

February is Black History Month. It is a time to highlight Black excellence and learn about Black people who have made a difference. It’s also…

Students Don’t Just Study Black History, They Are Black History

*Mic check* (Ahem). Educators: Are you aware that this month is Black History Month? Have you asked your students, specifically your Black students, what they’d like…