I participated in some really great discussions at the NCHE virtual conference last week and I keep turning back to this: I've been thinking a lot about how now more than ever, we need to view what we're creating for students through a culturally relevant lens. Without the accountability of face-to-face school, a lot of students may find their motivation flagging even more than usual. Creating assignments for them to do that are meaningful, that tap into stories of agency and resilience of people in the past faced with great odds, and having them use what they learn to do something that matters, that feels important, doesn't just increase the odds that they do it, but these kinds of assignments support them during a time when they are likely feeling isolated and helpless.

I'm thinking a lot about what we can learn from the past and how we can use stories from the past to uplift, inspire, and motivate ourselves in the present. There's so many connections we can make, not just to past epidemics but to stories of all sorts of struggle. 

I also think a lot about parents and guardians, many of whom experienced history as a long list of rote memorization of names and dates. How can we help them understand the historical process, see how inspiring history can be, and provide them with some buy-in as well? How can the culturally relevant lens help us see new ways to do that?

I'm interested to learn more about what other teachers are doing in your classrooms, what sources you are inspired by, and how you're using your culturally relevant lens to reinvent schooling in this unprecedented time.

  bestof