Teaching for Change

10/05/2026

Educators, librarians, and book lovers, join this special event where author and artist Pablo Leon will receive the 2026 Américas Book Award for his YA novel "Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide." Leon will read an excerpt from Silenced Voices and share insights about his writing process and bringing Central American stories into the classroom.

The 45-minute ceremony will be held on Zoom on Saturday, October 17 at 12:30pm ET. It is free and open to the public.

The event is hosted by the Américas Award in collaboration with Teaching for Change’s Teaching Central America program.

08/24/2026

Howard Zinn, born on August 24, 1922 , was a historian, author, professor, playwright, and activist.

Sign up for the Howard Zinn newsletter, coordinated by Teaching for Change. We send the newsletter twice a year. Receive a free Howard Zinn pen and sticker when you sign up. https://www.howardzinn.org/contact-sign-up/

Dave Zirin's new biography out this month, "The People’s Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn," examines his work in the context of U.S. history.

It includes Zinn’s shipyard work in Brooklyn, the Air Force in World War II, college under the G.I. Bill, Spelman College where he became active with SNCC, Boston University where he was a target of the administration and an ally of countless students, the anti-Vietnam War movement, the launch of our Zinn Education Project (with Rethinking Schools), and more.

Learn more, purchase the book, and find out how to hear from Dave Zirin in person on his book tour:
https://www.zinnedproject.org/materials/the-peoples-historian/

Book — Non-fiction. By Dave Zirin. 2026. 400 pages. A biography of iconic radical historian Howard Zinn, examining his life and work as a progressive icon and thought leader through the story of the times that shaped him and the world.

08/20/2026

How would you spend $1 million in your neighborhood? What would be your priorities?

Students can be invited to imagine how their city’s money should be spent, and to realize that city budgets are not neutral documents.

If you are interested in exploring this topic with your students, or maybe you already do, request a copy of the new book Budget Justice: On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidarities by Celina Su.

Learn more and make your request at our Zinn Education Project link below.

If you are interested in exploring participatory city budgeting with your students, or maybe you already do, request a copy of the new book Budget Justice: On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidarities by Celina Su.

06/07/2026

Friends in the DC area: Our colleague Sarah Elwell is co-hosting this talk with Terence Ngwa on his book, "Beyond Compensation: Empowering Teachers' Unions to Think Beyond Bread-and-Butter Issues" on June 11 at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville. Free and open to the public.

Join us to hear from Dr. Terence Ngwa on his new book, Beyond Compensation: Empowering Teachers' Unions...

06/01/2026

On this anniversary of the horrific Tulsa Massacre (May 31 to June 1, 1921), find books on Tulsa for K-12 and adults on this list from our Social Justice Books. (Learn about Tulsa and find more teaching resources here: https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/teaching-tulsa-massacre-100-years-later/)

Read: https://www.socialjusticebooks.org/tulsa

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

05/27/2026

We are pleased to cosponsor the talk at Busboys and Poets (14th & V) tomorrow (Thursday) evening with Annie Leonard and more on their new book: "Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It." Learn more about the event here: https://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-evt-57090217/
Not in DC? Order the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/7256/9781952338335 See less

05/26/2026

We share this article by Megan Madison for educators and caregivers of young children to read and discuss as part of our Zinn Education Project (with Rethinking Schools) campaign to teach truthfully about the American Revolution on this 250th anniversary.

As Madison notes,

“For most young children, it’s hard (if not impossible) for them to grapple with something that happened so long ago. However, all children growing up in today’s society will be bombarded with America 250 propaganda; and without our support, they will be forced to navigate these ubiquitous and untrue messages on their own.”

Please read, discuss, and let us know what you think!

How can educators teach young children the truth about U.S. history? Explore anti-bias strategies that build critical thinking and challenge harmful narratives.

05/25/2026

"A Day for Rememberin’: Inspired by the True Events of the First Memorial Day" by Leah Henderson, illustrated by Floyd Cooper.

Inspired by true events and told through the eyes of a young boy, this is the deeply moving story about what is regarded as the first on May 1, 1865.

Eli dresses up in his best clothes, Mama gathers the mayflowers, Papa straightens his hat, and together they join the crowds filling the streets of Charleston, South Carolina, with bouquets, crosses, and wreaths.

Abolitionists, missionaries, teachers, military officers, and a sea of faces Black, Brown, and white, they march as one and sing for all those who gave their lives fighting for freedom during the Civil War. [Description by publisher.]

Read more and order from link below.
https://www.socialjusticebooks.org/book/a-day-for-rememberin-inspired-by-the-true-events-of-the-first-memorial-day/r/reculStHWARR2Shoz

05/17/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Muriel Hasbun. She brought Central American art to classrooms around the D.C. metro area and nationally, offering hands-on workshops for teachers (like the one in these photos) every time we asked and creating the invaluable Laberinto Projects website: https://laberintoprojects.com/

Muriel generously agreed to serve as an advisor to our Teaching Central America campaign -- see her spotlight here: https://www.teachingcentralamerica.org/advisor-spotlight-muriel-hasbun

Muriel will be deeply missed. Her art in public spaces and classrooms will carry on her legacy.

(Photos from Polk ES: https://www.teachingforchange.org/polk-es-acps-workshop-central-america)

05/01/2026

May Day.

Here are recommended books for pre-K to 12, teachers, and families on labor history and organizing.

Critically reviewed selection of multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.