National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 through October 15. And while we’re grateful for teachers who respect and uplift the identities of all of their students year-round, we also appreciate heritage months that offer a special opportunity to celebrate—and center—marginalized identities. To kick off the celebration in your classroom or school, here are a few of our favorite resources for honoring, learning and teaching about Hispanic heritage.
Last week, a 7-year-old black boy came home from school with a realistic-looking gunshot wound painted on his forehead—by his drama teacher. The image understandably alarmed his mother. And it reminds us of the harm educators inflict when they insist they "don't see race." We hope you'll read and share these recommendations for protecting, respecting and celebrating the identities of your black students.
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we're sharing resources for destigmatizing conversations about this critical topic. We hope you'll read, share and use them to make your classroom, school and district safe and inclusive for all students.
April is National Poetry Month! In this edition of The Moment, we offer three poems to delight, inspire and encourage you and your students. To browse more student-friendly poetry, visit Perspectives Texts (under the Classroom Resources menu) and search for the word "poem."
As National Suicide Prevention Month draws to a close, we want to offer one more reminder: This year, especially, it’s critical to encourage students and colleagues to talk about mental health and reach out for support when it’s needed. We hope these resources help.