Articles

A year ago, we introduced a new curriculum, Civil Discourse in the Classroom and Beyond, citing the “pressing need to change the tenor of public debate from shouts and slurs to something more reasoned.” This weekend’s carnage in Tucson, with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords gravely injured, six people dead and 14 others wounded, is a terrible tragedy, not just for the victims and their families. It is a tragedy for a nation whose political process depends on people airing issues, managing conflict and confronting controversy in the public square.

Read this installment of the "Why I Teach" series.

Students challenge stereotypes when they see the people behind the slogans.

Followers of Islam face widespread prejudice in the United States. How can teachers help students overcome these attitudes?

Want to engage students? Meet them on society’s newest public square.

Educators who can work around obstacles and recognize the promise of new technologies are making a difference.

Help your students choose a new role.

Teaching Tolerance director Maureen Costello talks empathy as a means to move forward.

Rosa Marcellino didn’t like being labeled “mentally retarded,” so she decided to let important people know.

Something about Belinda’s brave smile looks familiar to me. The briefest shadow darkens her face while other students banter about the gifts they’ve asked for and the ones they’ve already received. Because she’s outgoing, the other kids don’t recognize the proud face she wears while they talk of skiing, sumptuous meals and overseas travel. Belinda never says a word. She just smiles and listens.