Teaching for Justice Conference:
A Spotlight on Teaching Asian American Studies Across the Curriculum
The racial reckoning sweeping the nation, COVID-19-related xenophobia and violence aimed at Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on BIPOC communities have accelerated the urgency and necessity of ethnic studies in schools. For social justice to be integrated and sustained in public education, we must build local partnerships that empower and prepare teachers to implement Asian American Studies in the classroom.
After nearly a year of conversations and collaborations between K-12 educators in Orange County, faculty and staff at UC Irvine, and education experts across California, the inaugural Teaching for Justice two-day conference was held in April 2022 at the University of California Irvine.
Guided Questions:
- What does teaching Asian American studies look like in practice?
- Who and what community will support my work in this area?
- What resources (curricular, pedagogical) are available to me as I leave this conference?
A Glimpse of the Conference
Teaching AAPI History in K-12: It Matters! Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan
The classroom plays a key role in combatting anti-Asian hate. Visibility and inclusion matter. Dr. Loh-Hagan shared the importance of teaching AAPI history in K-12. The Asian American Education Project provides educators with the resources, skills, and tools to effectively teach AAPI histories.
Further exploration:
The Missing Stories: Including South Asian American Studies in the Classroom Samip Malik
In “The Missing Stories,” SAADA’s Executive Director Samip Mallick covered how communities come to be excluded from the archival record and how we can address these absences to teach about South Asian American history in K-12 classrooms.
Further exploration:
Teaching Asian American Stories Eric Nguyen
Author Eric Nguyen focused on the importance of teaching Asian American stories in K-12 classrooms and starting points for teachers to engage their students with these stories.
Further exploration:
Coming of Age in a Complex World: A Facing History ELA Collection
Asian American Studies in Every Classroom – A Preview of the AAPI Multimedia Textbook Lauren Higa, Dr. Kelly Fong, Stan Yogi
A project of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, the AAPI Multimedia Textbook is a narrative change project that brings together distinguished scholarship, open access technology, and ethnic studies pedagogy to deepen public knowledge about who we are, strengthen students’ historical empathy, and bring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) stories into every classroom. Lauren Higa, Dr. Kelly Fong, and Stan Yogi introduced the project briefly and guided teachers through a mock-up chapter on Japanese American Incarceration.
Further exploration:
Mental Health and Wellness for AAPI Dr. Glenn Masuda
Dr.Glenn Masuda features clinical psychologists and mental health advocates who aim to address current issues and considerations for AAPI mental health including school-based mental health.
Further exploration:
Voices from Conference Attendees
240 educators and advocates attended the inaugural Teaching for Justice Conference. We had attendees join us from California, Washington, Nevada, Mississippi, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Texas.
Among the 240 educators that participated in the two-day conference, we received survey feedback from 86 conference attendees. Over 90% of our respondents reported they were satisfied with the conference, acquired new knowledge and/or skills, and would strongly refer the Teaching for Justice Conference to other educators and advocates.
Phenomenal speakers who were so passionate about the work they do…I wish could’ve attended all of them!
I’ve never been in a conference with so many Asian American presenters. I also loved the diversity in the panel.
The conference incorporated so many diverse voices. It showcased Orange County’s educator-leaders. Learned so much from Supt. Matsuda’s closing session. LOVED this day.
Sessions were amazing and helpful for teachers in the classroom. I have a lot of resources and activities to use for the classroom.
I loved being in community with other AAPI educators and allies.
Very organized and well thought-out
