Teaching for Black Lives Reading Group
Since last fall, our faculty and staff have been coming together for a monthly reading group facilitated by the inspiring Mary Louise, an educator from Giddens School. This group is part of our broader commitment to equity and inclusion, offering a space to reflect, learn, and take action toward creating anti-racist classrooms and school communities.
Jesse Hagopian, a Seattle-based educator, activist, and former teacher at Garfield High School, co-edited the book Teaching for Black Lives. Hagopian is well-known for his advocacy for racial equity in education and was a key organizer in the 2013 Seattle teacher boycott of standardized testing.
The Teaching for Black Lives project, created with the Zinn Education Project, supports educators in exploring how to center Black students’ lives, histories, and identities in their teaching. Each session combines discussions on the book’s themes with time to work on implementing the book’s suggestions. Topics range from dismantling systemic racism in schools to affirming Black joy and resilience in the classroom.
We’re thrilled to share that our group was featured in this month’s newsletter, highlighting our collective efforts to grow and transform as educators. As we continue to meet and reflect together, we look forward to building a more inclusive and just community for all students.
