These Classes Re-Lit My Fire

Every Zinn Education Project session not only impacts my teaching, but unravels the damage done by whitewashed histories. You give me more tools to educate my students and make me a better teacher today. — social studies teacher, Kansas City, Kansas 

The quote above is from one of thousands of teachers who learn from our Teach the Black Freedom Struggle classes. Like a Freedom School for teachers, the classes fill the gap in our own education so we can help students learn a fuller, more accurate history of the United States.

Teachers sit in on conversations with cutting-edge scholars and together figure out ways to teach what they’ve learned. We have had sessions on Reconstruction, reparations, climate justice, incarceration, voting rights, the Civil Rights Movement (in the North and South), healthcare, labor, and more.

While describing exciting research, the classes also overcome the isolation teachers experienced during COVID and often in their isolated classrooms at school.

We need your help to continue to offer these free classes. Please donate today. And join us for one or more sessions in 2025.

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Here are more comments teachers have shared this year.

It is always so powerful to learn about another hidden piece of history, particularly stories of empowerment, success, and multiracial communities. What a loss to have not been taught these parts of our history as children. The fact that we are continuing to repeat this history — using the media to spread disinformation and distortions — is so terrible. — Heidi Given, instructional coach, Somerville, Massachusetts 

I’ve been attending since 2020. These classes run like a well-oiled machine. — Jonathan Tallon, St. Petersburg, Florida 

Thank you for always doing such a great job with these sessions! They are amazing opportunities for authentic learning that provide tangible resources. — Sara Pierce, assistant principal, Hollywood, Florida

I thought it was one of the best virtual PDs I have been to in a while. This felt like a perfect mix of facilitation and space for participants to discuss. I look forward to attending more! — Daryn Cohen, high school social studies teacher, Brooklyn, New York 

A reminder that Black Americans are still trying to move through a system that does not want to see us. We still have to prove ourselves, but we know that if people know the real history, there may be some systemic change. — Robin L. McLean, NEA communications, Washington, D.C.

I learned the danger of lost histories and the increasing injustice that comes with banning and eradicating information. — Justin M. Small, high school transition coordinator, St. Paul, Minnesota 

This class re-lit my fire and my determination to keep going!! — Deanna Chappell, school counselor, Eugene, Oregon 

Bring these experiences and knowledge to more teachers in 2025 with your donation. And join us for the series.