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Reconstruction Teach-In at Howard University a Great Success

April 14, 2019

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Close to 80 teachers convened at Howard University on April 13, 2019, to participate in a Reconstruction Teach-In as part of the Teach Reconstruction campaign. Norfolk, Virginia middle school teacher Corinna Ferro’s feedback echoes what we heard from attendees throughout the day:

The Reconstruction Teach-In at Howard University exceeded my expectations. I have only briefly addressed Reconstruction as a part of my U.S. History curriculum because it is perceived as an unpleasant period of history that ultimately led to Jim Crow.

Through this Teach-In, I learned a well-rounded way to present Reconstruction—from its successes to its failures. It was refreshing to be in a room with like-minded educators who wish to expose our students to the narratives that have been discounted and devalued.

The material presented was rich with primary documents and able to be immediately implemented in the classroom—a rare treat. I hope to attend more professional development experiences such as this.  

Screening of PBS documentary, Reconstruction: America After the Civil War. View more photos.

Hosted by the Howard University School of Education, D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice (a project of Teaching for Change), and the Zinn Education Project (a project of Rethinking Schools and Teaching for Change), the teach-in featured workshops, talks, and a special screening of the new PBS documentary, Reconstruction: America After the Civil War. The event was held in the studios of Howard University Television – WHUT.

Highlights

Dr. Joy Banks from the School of Education welcomed attendees to Howard University, talking about the important tradition of teach-ins as a way to link history and activism.

Dr. Joy Banks welcomes the attendees. View more photos.

Teaching a Peoples History of Abolition and the Civil War (Book Cover) | Zinn Education Project

High school teacher and Zinn Education Project curriculum writer Ursula Wolfe-Rocca noted that it was important to place Reconstruction into the long history of African American resistance, starting with slavery. To highlight this resistance, Wolfe-Rocca shared Adam Sanchez’s lesson, “Poetry of Defiance: How the Enslaved Resisted,” from the new Rethinking Schools book, Teaching a People’s History of Abolition and the Civil War.

After a mixer activity in which participants learned about the manifold ways enslaved people undermined slavery and subjugation, they wrote lines for a collective poem, based on the stories they read and heard. Here is an excerpt from their powerful poem:

Tell our children
That we were
Never slaves
In our hearts and minds

Write that I
Stole Away
In midnight dark and deep
Hovering over a candle
To teach my people
To read and write
So that one day
They will set others free

Write that I
Wrecked the master’s profits
Burned his corn &
Destroyed his tools

Write that we are owners
Of our destiny
Of our minds
Of our bodies you attempt to bury in the abyss

Next, Wolfe-Rocca introduced participants to some of the most dramatic issues facing freedpeople during Reconstruction through the lesson, “Reconstructing the South: A Role Play.” Working in groups of eight, participants grappled with questions about land, labor, voting — and the meaning of freedom — from the perspective of people recently freed from slavery. For example, “Would you be willing to promise the Northern politicians that if they gave you land, that you would continue to grow cotton?” In the debrief, one table noted that they had serious disagreements. Ursula pointed out that is exactly what happens with students and reflects the debates that raged at the time.

For the next segment of the teach-in, participants had a choice between two sessions.

Howard University Professor of History and Department Chair Dr. Nikki Taylor gave a talk on “Educational Reconstruction.”

Wolfe-Rocca offered a workshop based on the lesson, “When the Impossible Suddenly Became Possible: A Reconstruction Mixer,” which explores the connections between different social movements during Reconstruction.

Participants during reconstruction mixer. View more photos.

During lunch, WHUT (Howard University Television) presented a special 20-minute overview of the new four-hour documentary series, Reconstruction: America After the Civil War, narrated by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. WHUT generously provided the lunch for participants and showed the film on a movie theater size professional screen.

Dr. Edna Greene Medford, who is featured in the film, provided a brief introduction. She emphasized the presence of Black agency, before and after the Civil War:

Men and women decided for themselves that they are going to be free. Long before Lincoln entertained the idea of the Emancipation Proclamation. They knew that they were able to do that and they were clamoring to do that. So that agency is there. There is agency when they were building their own institutions after the war. And these are institutions that they want to control, right down to the school system… they know what they want their children to learn.

Dr. Gregory Carr shared crucial reflections and important historical context after the film, directing the audience to key texts to read to continue their learning.

Dr. Gregory Carr. View more photos.

The day was so exhilarating that no one wanted it to end. Dr. Carr offered to stay after to continue the conversation with those who had the time to stay. Almost half the group stayed on for another hour of lively conversation.

Post Teach-In conversation. View more photos.

Reflections

As attendees left, they picked up two free books in exchange for their evaluation. Everyone received a copy of Dark Sky Rising: Reconstruction and the Dawn of Jim Crow, thanks to a donation from the publisher and their choice of another children’s/young adult book.

Participants with free book. View more photos.

View all photos from the event >>

Here are just a few of the comments from the evaluations and social media.

I feel much more savvy in my knowledge of the Reconstruction era. Having never been taught the Reconstruction era in a formal setting, it is critical knowledge that I need to succeed in teaching it.

It is inspiring. Makes me glad to be a teacher and have the opportunity to bring this information to my students.

This was a very valuable experience because it gives educators the ability to discuss best practices and participate in opportunities to advance exercises. Thank you for this chance!

This valuable experience allowed us to network with other teachers and educators that believe in teaching the truth in education. — Ashley Williams

I feel like there are so much that I don’t know. I have a lot to read, understand and share. — Tatana Todd

Each lesson presented would be ideal in part or whole for my 7th-grade students. The poetry and the reflection from historians was important to offer different voices. — Laurel Lennon

The teach-in forced me to reevaluate my understanding of the history of the Reconstruction and the tools & activities that can be used to teach it.

The best part was hearing from Dr. Carr and African-American educators more about an African-centered approach to the history & their experience.

The ability to collaborate meaningfully in these lessons was the highlight of this experience. I love stepping into the spaces that I ask my students to occupy.

The Teach-In gave me an opportunity to expand my knowledge and shift my perspective about Reconstruction. I have a new lens through which to teach my students.

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