Facing History & Ourselves

Teachers and educational leaders know how important it is to create learning environments where all students, regardless of background, feel seen, heard, and valued, and where they are supported in reaching their full potential. From June 23-25, we're thrilled to be hosting our Transformational Education for All Students Summer 2026 Institute—an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the legacy of educational inequity in the US and get tools and resources to help you adopt more equitable teaching practices.

This interactive learning experience will include conversation, self-paced learning, and breakout sessions that allow you to connect with peers as you explore the history of race, schooling, and academic identity to better understand the root causes of present-day educational inequities. Click through for more details and register today while you still can!

Transformational Education for All Students Summer 2026 Institute Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the legacy of educational inequity in the US and get tools to help you adopt more equitable teaching practices.

"Each teacher and young person impacted by these partnerships creates a ripple effect, ultimately moving local and national discourse away from anger and radicalization and towards a place of understanding, inclusiveness, and humanity."

In our latest Ideas This Week article, President & CEO Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD reflects on the value of Facing History & Ourselves district partnerships via the firsthand experiences of teachers and administrators in Palm Beach County, Florida.

In Their Own Words: Driving Impact in Palm Beach County President & CEO Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD reflects on the value of Facing History & Ourselves district partnerships via the firsthand experiences of teachers and administrators.

On this day in 1939, the ship MS St. Louis arrived in Havana, Cuba carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing N**i Germany. However, the refugees were denied permission to disembark and would soon also be turned away from the United States, forcing them to return to Europe where 254 of the passengers would be killed in the Holocaust. Click through to explore a lesson from our Holocaust and Human Behavior collection that details the voyage of the St. Louis and allows students to consider why this story remains relevant today.

The Voyage of the St. Louis Consider why countries including the United States refused to accept Jewish refugees aboard the M.S. St. Louis who sought escape from N**i-occupied Europe.

Each year, Facing History partner schools in California identify and nominate students and educators who have made differences in their communities, big and small. From coordinating volunteers and advocating for inclusion to taking on leadership roles and simply showing kindness, courage, and solidarity, these upstanders make us hopeful in a time full of challenges. Click through to learn about the two events this spring where we recognized and honored their incredible achievements:

Showing Up, Stepping Up, Lifting Up: Highlights of the 2026 California Upstander Celebration At two events this spring, we recognized and honored student and educator upstanders from our Partner Schools Network.

As we commemorate the anniversary of the 1787 Constitutional Convention—and look ahead to a celebration of our nation's 250th birthday—it's a perfect time to think about the great promise and imperfections of the American dream. Today we're sharing We The People, an inquiry from our US History Curriculum collection that expands teaching of the US founding by asking the compelling question "How do we reckon with a history full of complexities and contradictions?"

We the People: Expanding the Teaching of the US Founding This 5-7 day C3-aligned inquiry explores the compelling question "How do we reckon with a history full of complexities and contradictions?"

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No matter how you feel about generative AI, it's here to stay—and the stakes are high when it comes to classroom use. While this technology can be a helpful tool to spark student creativity, it can also be used to avoid actual learning by generating content that isn't truly original work. As such, any classroom policies need to be carefully and thoughtfully considered before norms are established. Click through to explore a mini-unit that lets students weigh in and discuss the ethics of generative AI and its impact on education in a way that makes them feel included in the conversation.

The Ethics of Generative AI in the Classroom This is the first mini-lesson in a two-part series on the impact generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E have on education.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we're sharing a list of books that can help YA readers explore complex issues in a safe and inspiring way. Click through to explore titles that educators can use to build empathy, encourage belonging, and instill a lifelong love of reading.

Literature as Safe Harbor: Seven YA Books That Address Teen Mental Health Keeping up with well-being and mental health is vital. These books can help YA readers explore complex issues in a safe and inspiring way.

With the school year winding down, it's the perfect time for reflection and celebration before everyone heads off to summer break. Click through to explore six activities that educators can use to help their students connect with experiences, think back on all they've been through, and look ahead to the future.

Activities to Connect and Celebrate at the End of the School Year These six activities help students reflect on the past school year, celebrate their school community, and look ahead to what comes next.

How can Holocaust narratives help middle and high school students grapple with profound questions about human behavior, responsibility, and moral decision-making? On June 3, we're holding a free webinar that will discuss how educators can navigate the historical and emotional complexity of teaching Holocaust literature with care and depth. Participants will explore our new Teaching Holocaust Literature ELA collection and will leave with practical tools and resources they can immediately use in the classroom. Click through for more details and register today!

Teaching about the Holocaust through Literature Join us as we discuss how to navigate the historical and emotional complexity of teaching Holocaust literature with care and depth.

Calling educational leaders: On June 4 from 9-10am ET, our monthly one-hour information session will explain how a partnership with Facing History means inclusive schools and classrooms where every student thrives and succeeds. Attendees will explore the ways that we work with schools and districts, giving educators the tools and resources they need to build genuine cultures of belonging. Click through to register today and we can’t wait to see you there!

Info Session: Facing History School & District Programs Join us to learn about the ways Facing History works with schools and districts, equipping educators with tools to foster cultures of belonging.