How We Teach: Black History Month

Every year, Black History Month reminds us of what we should be teaching every day of every year: Just how significantly the Black people in our collective past shape our present and our future. Here is a sampling of how AFT educators are celebrating Black history and Black culture with their students and in their communities.

LaShonda Bradberry

Special education and African American history teacher, Cheektowaga Central Teachers Association, New York State United Teachers

I try to bring current events into my teaching. Today’s students need to know relevance all the time, so I ask the question: Why should we care about the Civil Rights Act of 1964? And we talk about how they are blessed to be in New York state where we can still embed diversity, equity and inclusion into our learning. I also make it my business to teach them about the everyday people in our history. The people like Georgia Gilmore, who cooked meals for Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. I show them that you don’t necessarily need to be on the front lines to make a difference.

Learning Black history is inspiring for my students. When my kids feel like they’re down, or they can’t, I have to remind them of the resilience of our ancestors. That teaches them perseverance, which is especially important in the era we’re in right now.

Stacie Dunlap

Third-grade teacher, Washington Teachers’ Union (Washington, D.C.)

This year, we had spirit week with a different focus for each day. We celebrated entrepreneurship and financial wealth with Madam C.J. Walker and Shaquille O’Neal. We did innovations and inventions with Benjamin Banneker and Bishop Curry. We celebrated artistry with Misty Copeland and Duke Ellington. We “dressed for the Capitol” and talked about Kamala Harris and Shirley Chisholm; the kids wore suits and jackets. We also had a Black History Month poster showcase with posters the kids created and we created a collage honoring loved ones who have been lost, writing their names on papers shaped like drops of water to symbolize the libations that are historically poured out to honor the ancestors.

This culture, this race, is really not always given its recognition. We’ve done so much and paved the way for other people, whether you know it or not. The kids just love learning about it: They’re just like, “Wow, I didn’t know,” and they get that “mind blown” emoji look when I teach them something new.

Rodney Fresh

High school history teacher, Detroit Federation of Teachers

My students are currently creating a gallery walk exhibit on the contributions of African Americans to World Wars I and II. With everything happening in the world, it proves how important it is to remember the contributions that Black people have made to history. Today, we continue to persevere despite the obstacles we face, which is why Black history is important and why we must celebrate Black History Month.

Gina Gray

High school English teacher, United Teachers Los Angeles

I always look for ways to center Black joy in the lessons I share, along with making sure the students see the connection to their lives today. One lesson that really captured my students’ attention this year was learning about Supreme Court justices. The students learned about Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman Supreme Court justice. This led to great discussions about the Supreme Court and understanding the pivotal role it plays in upholding our democracy.

And why is it important to teach Black history? As a high school English teacher, it is so important to teach Black history because there are many students that still do not know of the many great contributions of Black Americans. Many students get a single story or two of Black History, learning about MLK and Rosa Parks. These stories are so important and foundational to Black history but they are not the only stories by far.

Renee O’Connor

African American history teacher, United Teachers of Dade (Florida)

Since I teach African American history, we have Black History Month every single day. I teach what is happening today and match it with what happened in history, so that it’s relevant for kids. Recently, I did a whole lesson on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, with his references to Uncle Sam and “40 acres and a mule.” That’s Black history. On another day the kids all came up with a quote from an influential African American, and delivered that quote to their favorite teachers, who posted them on their Black History Month doors.

As a teacher, my job is to teach the truth. The truth is, this country was built on the backs of slaves. We are the No. 1 country in the world because of the work that was done for free for more than 400 years. It’s nothing we should hide from; it’s something we should embrace and try to move forward from. We just need to make this country into the beautiful place it is meant to be.

Joel Richards

Former elementary school teacher, Boston Teachers Union

Black History Month is a time to reflect, celebrate and educate — honoring the past while inspiring the future. It’s especially important now to ensure Black history remains a vital part of our collective understanding, empowering young people with knowledge and pride. At the Ron Burton Training Village, where I now work, we emphasize leadership, character and resilience — values deeply rooted in Black history and its lessons.

Republished with permission from AFT Voices.