News

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. 

Join us for the annual Social Justice Curriculum Fair on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 9:15AM–12:45PM in person at Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS (200 Douglas Street NE).

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.

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.

In and ESL/Bilingual class, students learn about Central American countries and student contribute to a shared/collaborative slide presentation about each country over the course of a week.

High school students learn about Central Americans of note and desing monuments to celebrate them.

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.

Elementary and Secondary Working Group Meeting

Twelve teachers from the DCAESJ elementary and secondary working groups gathered at the Teaching for Change office for a workshop on race, identity, and stereotypes in art, led by Diamond Gray of the American Visionary Art Museum.

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.

We are deeply grateful for all that Vanessa has done to build a robust network of educators and to help shape the growing initiatives that have become cornerstones of Teaching for Change’s work.

The DCAESJ hosted multiple events as part of the national Teach Truth days of action, with a "get out the vote" focus for the 2024 elections. 

DCAESJ’s early childhood working group facilitator, Makai Kellogg, co-wrote a new book, Reflection, Perspective-Taking, and Social Justice: Stories of Empathy and Kindness in the Early Childhood Classroom.

By Vanessa Williams
On Thursday, April 11th, Capital City PCS juniors took over teaching duties and facilitated workshops for their peers via the annual Capital City Youth Justice Summit. More than thirty workshops were presented on a variety of topics, including gun violence, outdoor education, and the climate crisis.