As some states and districts drop mask mandates amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many students continue to petition and stage walkouts to demand safer health protocols. Some students are protesting against instances of racism and sexual assault as well. These LFJ resources provide guidance for supporting your students who are demanding that their concerns are taken seriously.
Current events may be hard to grapple with as multiple historically Black colleges and universities faced bomb threats, Minneapolis police fatally shot Amir Locke, and many states and districts continue to ban teaching inclusive books and talking about race. Amidst these aggressions, we want to remind Black educators to practice self-care—and all educators to elevate the importance of Black students’ experiences and their mental health. These resources can help.
As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, educators across the nation will teach about King’s life and works. Countless others will echo his famous quotes. Few will offer a full picture of who King truly was—or of the collectivist movement that surrounded him. These resources can help you offer a fuller account of King, his peers and the ongoing legacy of their shared dreams and actions.
January 6 marks the first anniversary of a violent, primarily white mob storming the U.S. Capitol. Rooted in misinformation, the insurrection didn’t exist in a vacuum—and the ramifications of the attack are ongoing. These LFJ resources can help you have critical conversations with your students about the insurrection and teach young people digital literacy skills to stop the spread of more misinformation.
During this winter break, we hope you’ll take extra time to check in with yourself. We are especially proud of your work this year amidst all that is happening around you. Watch this webinar as a reminder of the importance of educator self-care. And take some time to check out recent books we’re reading and films we’re watching that affirm identities, celebrate diversity and highlight justice.