Resources to Help Celebrate Women’s History Month

The Library of Congress has pulled from its extensive collection of resources, and from other federal institutions, to compile an online guide highlighting Women’s History Month, which is celebrated each year in March. American Women: A Library of Congress Guide for the Study of Women’s History and Culture in the United States includes historic and contemporary audio and video files, posters, photographs, magazines, sheet music, maps, manuscripts and rare books, government documents and legislation, as well as topical essays on the Equal Rights Amendment, patriotism, and suffrage. The guide is available at womenshistorymonth.gov.

What Political Conflict Means for Democracy and Public Schools

“Educating for a Diverse Democracy: The Chilling Role of Political Conflict in Blue, Purple, and Red Communities,” published by the Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access at UCLA and the Civic Engagement Research Group at UC Riverside, highlights a dilemma schools face as they seek to educate their students for a diverse democracy. “To create a thriving diverse democracy,” the report says, “youth need opportunities to explore the full stories and histories of varied groups, to build capacities for respectful, evidence-based dialogue, and to develop commitments to robust civil liberties and recognition of the dignity of fellow citizens.” However, the study finds that “public high schools are increasingly limited in their ability to support this vital goal.” They have become targets of conservative political groups focusing on critical race theory, as well as issues of sexuality and gender identity. “These political conflicts have created a broad chilling effect that has limited opportunities for students to practice respectful dialogue on controversial topics and made it harder to address rampant misinformation.” Read the full report at bit.ly/3WaTXcx.

Substitute Teachers Are Unsung Heroes

Substitute teachers are the unsung heroes of the school community, says Elizabeth Brown, the principal of Ocali Charter High School in Ocala, FL. Finding enough good substitute teachers has never been easy, but it’s been harder since the pandemic. “If I had to rank employees’ importance to the school, substitute teachers would be way up there,” because they not only provide a continuity of instruction, but they also allow teachers to take care of themselves and take time off if they need it. Brown quickly learned how important it is to treat your regular substitutes well. “They are basically coming to your home to do a job for you and help your students. When they walk into my school, I think it’s important for them to feel a warm, welcoming environment; I always introduce myself, thank them for coming, and make sure someone checked on them during the day.” Read more at https://bit.ly/3Hn7EAL.

Black Student Achievement Liaison Brings Results

The online publication, District Administration, highlights the efforts of Robert Motley, the principal of Atholton High School in Columbia, MD, to help close the opportunity gap among his students by hiring a Black Student Achievement liaison. In addition to monitoring the progress of African American students, the liaison works with teachers and parents on issues such as increasing the number of Black students in AP, honors, and other advanced classes. “Her mere presence has had an impact on grades, attitudes, and discipline,” Motley told the publication. “It has made a huge difference.” With a growing population of Latino students, the school plans to add a Hispanic achievement liaison as well. Read the full article at bit.ly/3Yd3dP1.