Ms. Ariel Alford, has been a high school social studies teacher at Hayfield Secondary School (FCPS) for four years. For three of these, DCAESJ has born witness to the transformative racial justice education work she’s fostered with her African American history students, the wider school community, and, as you’ll come to know, far beyond the school’s walls.
Read MoreBy 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.
By Vanessa Williams
Within three minutes of entering Georgetown Day School, I noticed prospective students and their families were visiting the campus for the day. Then I ran into local historian and scholar Pat Scallen — who’s an advisor for Teach Central America and has penned lessons and stories for it — and I was warmly welcomed by Julia Tomasko, current teacher and alum of the school. While she might not have literally uttered “Come and join us” when we made our way up to her classroom, the spirit of that phrase was palpable and at the center of this school visit that day.
By Iysha Perkins
In recognition of BLM at School, a few students and I read two books, Hey Black Child and M is for Melanin, both of which focus on who you are as a Black child and how you can affirm and celebrate yourself.
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.
DCAESJ working group member and Prince George's County Public Schools high school teacher Amber Bennett Foote shared what the lesson her students are engaged in for Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action.
Read MoreBruce-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…
Read MoreBy 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.
Inspired Teaching Demonstration PCS’ 4th grade teaching team led students through a unit on book banning this fall, which culminated in a letter to Scholastic expressing concern about the way that books are categorized at their book fairs.
Read MoreBy Makai Kellogg and Sara Beshawred
On Saturday, November 18th, the Anti-Bias Early Childhood Working Group met at the Teaching for Change office. The group focused on addressing holidays in the classroom with an anti-bias lens.
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.
Read MoreBeth 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.
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