Teaching for Change

06/01/2026

On this anniversary of the horrific Tulsa Massacre (May 31 to June 1, 1921), find books on Tulsa for K-12 and adults on this list from our Social Justice Books. (Learn about Tulsa and find more teaching resources here: https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teaching-tulsa-massacre-100-years-later/)

Read: https://www.socialjusticebooks.org/tulsa

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

05/27/2026

We are pleased to cosponsor the talk at Busboys and Poets (14th & V) tomorrow (Thursday) evening with Annie Leonard and more on their new book: "Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It." Learn more about the event here: https://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-evt-57090217/
Not in DC? Order the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/7256/9781952338335 See less

05/26/2026

We share this article by Megan Madison for educators and caregivers of young children to read and discuss as part of our Zinn Education Project (with Rethinking Schools) campaign to teach truthfully about the American Revolution on this 250th anniversary.

As Madison notes,

“For most young children, it’s hard (if not impossible) for them to grapple with something that happened so long ago. However, all children growing up in today’s society will be bombarded with America 250 propaganda; and without our support, they will be forced to navigate these ubiquitous and untrue messages on their own.”

Please read, discuss, and let us know what you think!

How can educators teach young children the truth about U.S. history? Explore anti-bias strategies that build critical thinking and challenge harmful narratives.

05/25/2026

"A Day for Rememberin’: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day" by Leah Henderson, illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Inspired by true events and told through the eyes of a young boy, this is the deeply moving story about what is regarded as the first on May 1, 1865.

Eli dresses up in his best clothes, Mama gathers the mayflowers, Papa straightens his hat, and together they join the crowds filling the streets of Charleston, South Carolina, with bouquets, crosses, and wreaths.

Abolitionists, missionaries, teachers, military officers, and a sea of faces Black, Brown, and white, they march as one and sing for all those who gave their lives fighting for freedom during the Civil War. [Description by publisher.]

Read more and order from link below.
https://www.socialjusticebooks.org/book/a-day-for-rememberin-inspired-by-the-true-events-of-the-first-memorial-day/r/reculStHWARR2Shoz

05/17/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Muriel Hasbun. She brought Central American art to classrooms around the D.C. metro area and nationally, offering hands-on workshops for teachers (like the one in these photos) every time we asked and creating the invaluable Laberinto Projects website: https://laberintoprojects.com/

Muriel generously agreed to serve as an advisor to our Teaching Central America campaign -- see her spotlight here: https://www.teachingcentralamerica.org/advisor-spotlight-muriel-hasbun

Muriel will be deeply missed. Her art in public spaces and classrooms will carry on her legacy.

(Photos from Polk ES: https://www.teachingforchange.org/polk-es-acps-workshop-central-america)

05/01/2026

May Day.

Here are recommended books for pre-K to 12, teachers, and families on labor history and organizing.

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

04/29/2026

We’re excited to partner on Our DC, Our Culture: Arts & Culture Mayoral Candidate Forum, broadcast live on WPFW 89.3 FM on May 1 at 5 - 6 PM and on May 5 from 3-5 pm. Tune in to learn where your mayoral candidate stands on DC’s art and culture community! Get reminders by registering here: https://linktr.ee/dccollaborative #558633355

04/08/2026

"The book banning Megan Madison endured in the United States served only as an orientation for her teaching job in Uruguay, which within a week brought her face to face with angry American far-right parents and school administrators unequipped to handle them."

Continue reading this important article in PEN America below.
https://pen.org/megan-pamela-ruth-madison/

(And check out the "First Conversations" board book series. They are the best we have seen for early childhood on race, gender, class, disability, justice, power, consent, grief, love, and much more. https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/board-books/first-conversation-board-book-series/)

Dr. Megan Pamela Ruth Madison relocated to Uruguay seeking freedom from censorship only to face backlash again over her inclusive books.

03/31/2026

DC teachers -- bring a filmmaker to your classroom.

The topics of this year’s powerful films include protest against immigrant detention, an homage to Chocolate City, the campaign to unionize Starbucks, a D.C. voting rights activist, documentaries about educator Paulo Freire, former Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, D.C.-based sculptor Joan Danziger, author and filmmaker Toni Cade Bambara, poet James A. Emanuel, and more!

Teaching for Change is partnering with Filmfest DC: The Washington, D.C. International Film Festival for a fourteenth year to spread the word about the international film festival and to bring films and filmmakers for some films into D.C. classrooms. Students gain a lot from viewing the doc

03/25/2026

Friends in the DC area. Join us on Wednesday evening at Busboys and Poets (14th and V) for people's history trivia.

Our people’s history trivia nights offer a chance to laugh, learn, and break bread in good company. Just the kind of evening we all need to keep going in these times.

Are you a people’s history buff? Join us on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, for a fun night of questions and answers about the history often missing from textbooks — the role of women, people of color, labor, and other social movements. Questions will also highlight the work of the Black Lives Matter...