On Saturday, August 23, D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice (DCAESJ) hosted the fourth annual Social Justice Curriculum Fair at Inspired Teaching Demonstration School. Educators from all over the D.C. area — and a few from Philadelphia, New York City, and New Jersey — gathered to participate in powerful educator-led workshops, connect with local organizations supporting social justice education, and learn more about DCAESJ in preparation for the 2025–2026 school year.

In the wake of a newly emboldened authoritarian regime, educators across the country — and especially in the D.C. area — have faced many challenges to truth-telling and public education itself. And yet, D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice continued to show up, and create spaces for resistance, reflection, and collective care.

In late April and early May 2025, Teaching for Change partnered with Filmfest DC: The Washington, DC, International Film Festival for a 14th year to bring filmmakers into D.C. classrooms to share some of their films. 

Educators, students, families, and community members gathered in Washington, D.C., to take part in the national #TeachTruth Day of Action on June 7, 2025. Starting at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the event featured powerful speeches, Dream City Brass Band, and a march to four other Smithsonian museums.

Our deepest condolences to the family of Vincent Henry Coleman (January 18, 1962–June 16, 2025). The family requested that donations in honor of Vincent Coleman be made to Teaching for Change's Teach the Beat project.

A #TeachTruth event was held at Pike Kitchen Food Hall with a range of interactive activities including a non-fiction book swap (bring a book, take a book), photo booth, art station, and interactive Teach Truth pop-up display.

Teaching for Black Lives study groups across the United States participated in the 2025 Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.

Walt Whitman High School’s Leadership Academy for Social Justice (LASJ) hosted a Social Justice Fair that brought together Whitman students and families, activists, educators, and organizations, including Teaching for Change, from the DMV area.

Pre-K students explore the 13 Guiding Principles of Black Lives Matter at School through storytelling.

A class of 3-5 year olds engaged in a week long book study of Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry and focused on hair care routines. The book and experiences addressed the Black Lives Matter guiding principles of Diversity, Black Families, Empathy, Unapologetically Black, and Intergenerational. 

The Black History Month showcase at Breakthrough Montessori PCS, which featured a poetry slam, was a celebration of community, self-expression, and Black joy. 

Saturday, April 5, 2025, the D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice (DCAESJ) working group educators came together for a Spring Convening centered on advocacy.

Students at Thomas ES were joined by teachers and families for an assembly on March 7, 2025 celebrating Black Lives Matter at School. Students from each grade presented performances about Black activists and staff were honored with awards celebrating Black women.

Teaching for Change is partnering with Filmfest DC: The Washington, D.C. International Film Festival for a fourteenth year to spread the word about the international film festival and to bring films and filmmakers for some films into D.C. classrooms.

In celebration of Black History Month and in alignment with the Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, Langley Elementary School's fifth-grade class explored Black youth excellence in food and agriculture. With support from the FoodPrints team of FreshFarm and led by Mr. Jamie Phillips, students engaged in hands-on activities that celebrated the contributions of Black innovators to sustainable food systems.

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice hosted a virtual curriculum fair, featuring an inspiring keynote by Jesse Hagopian and dynamic workshops rooted in the Black Lives Matter at School movement. The event centered on the national demands and guiding principles that focus on improving the school experience for Black students.

Since it launched three years ago, Teaching for Change has hosted a table at the annual "A Day of Action," hosted by the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in the museum's beautiful atrium which is shared with the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Students explored the political and economic factors leading to the civil war in El Salvador, as well as the role of the United States in influencing the war's outcome.

Maximo Alfaro integrated various cultural, historical, and geographical elements into a cohesive unit in his middle school classroom at District of Columbia International PCS. The unit included a map activity, a Central American Cultural Day, and a guest speaker from the local Central American community.

Teaching about Central America in an AP English Language and Composition classroom using mixer activities, poetry, and an essay.