This is the institute for educators who believe Latine/x Heritage should not only be taught September 15th - October 15th

The history of the United States is a rich and compelling one. Unfortunately it has also commonly been taught in ways that rely on canned and oversimplified narratives that highlight the achievements of some and erase or downplay the experiences and contributions of others. This institute aims to disrupt that practice by embracing the diversity of identities, cultures and histories of Latine/x people in the United States.

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This institute, for educators who work with grades K-8, is designed by educators and includes content, methods, and a transferable framework for teaching culture and history for the United States of America. In this institute, participants will learn:

Latine/x History Content

While it is common to focus on chronological history, this institute will instead teach content through a range of historical themes including, but not limited to political movements, arts, and innovation. Participants will delve beyond the most familiar historical figures and cultural traditions and into events, ideas and groups that shaped and continue to shape the United States, in grade appropriate ways.

A Framework for Teaching History

Participants will learn about and apply a historical framework to guide curriculum development and teaching. The framework will be used throughout all three days of the institute and is designed to enable educators to design historical and culture-specific instruction on any topic.

Methods for Teaching

Our identities as educators, and our students’ identities have a direct impact on our instructional choices. Participants will explore the interplay of identity and instruction and develop strategies and methods for teaching history - especially when either the students or the people being taught about - have different identities from our own.

Cultural and Identity Information Specific to Latine/x People

While the United States currently designates September 15th-October 15th as ‘National Hispanic Heritage Month’, there has been push back from activists and scholars to instead focus on the experiences of people whose roots, identity, and culture are more closely connected to a Latina/o/e/x heritage. The presenters will share practices that educators can use to teach truth about the rich and diverse cultures and identities encompassed within the larger Latine/x community in culturally affirming and sustaining ways.

Solidarity and Intersectionality

Because the United States is a country filled with racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity, it is important to explore the ways people across history have collaborated and been in community. Participants will have an opportunity to explore ways Latine/x history and contributions can and should be included, no matter what topics are on a school’s scope and sequence.

Curricular and Model Flexibility

No matter if you use text books, inquiry, essential questions, workshop, project-based learning or all of the above, you will be able to apply what you learn in this institute to your teaching right away. Participants will leave with lots of multimodal resource options as well as strategies for finding and vetting resources to use in future instruction no matter what curriculum or instructional model you use.

Sonja Cherry-Paul & Colleen Cruz

Sonja Cherry Paul & Colleen Cruz are long time educators, authors, and friends. Their shared passion for joyful, content-rich, equity centered teaching and learning means that in addition to their solo endeavors, they grab any opportunity they can find to collaborate. This institute was born out of their collaboration on the Teach Black History All Year Institute.

Sonja Cherry-Paul, is the founder of Red Clay Educators, the author of several books including Stamped (for Kids), a New York Times Bestseller, and leads professional development with educators around the world, spotlighting the relationship between teaching, literacy and equity. Her newest book is the critically acclaimed Antiracist Reading Revolution.

M. Colleen Cruz, is the founder of M.C. Cruz LLC, author of several books for educators, including the best selling Writers Read Better: Nonfiction, and provides professional development nationally and internationally focused on accessibility, literacy, mistake-making, and social justice. She is also the author of Border Crossing, a young adult novel and Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award Finalist.

Keynote Speakers

  • Dr. Carla España

    is a New York-based educator from Chile, researcher, writer, and co-founder of the En Comunidad Collective. Dr. España partners with K-12 schools and teacher preparation programs to support teachers, librarians, coaches, and administrators. Her teaching, writing, research, and workshops live at the intersection of ethnic studies, critical literacies, bilingual/ multilingual education, children’s literature, language ideologies, curriculum development, Latinx studies, and teacher education. Dr. España is Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education and Puerto Rican/Latinx and Latin American Studies in the Department of Puerto Rican and Latino Studies at Brooklyn College, City University of New York.

  • Alyssa Reynoso-Morris

    is a queer Afro-Latine/x Dominican and Puerto Rican award-winning storyteller. Her ability to weave compelling stories has opened many doors for her as an author and speaker. She is also a mother and community organizer. During the day, she works with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place. Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been. Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA, with her partner and daughter. She is the author of Plátanos Are Love, The Bronx Is My Home, and Gloriana Presente: A First Day of School Book.

  • David Bowles

    is a Mexican American author and translator from south Texas, where he works as an associate professor, coordinating the English Education Program at the University of Texas Río Grande Valley. Among his three dozens books are the multiple-award-winning They Call Me Güero and its companion They Call Her Fregona (Kokila),as well as My Two Border Towns (Kokila), Ancient Night (Levine Querido), Secret of the Moon Conch (Bloomsbury) and The Prince & the Coyote (Levine Querido). His work has also been published in multiple anthologies, plus many new papers and magazines. Additionally, David has worked on several TV/film projects, including Victor and Valentino (Cartoon Network), the Moctezuma & Cortés miniseries (Amazon/Amblin) and Monsters and Mysteries in America (Discovery).