New York Collective of Radical Educators’
Inquiry to Action Groups (ItAGs) 2011
The New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE)is pleased to offer an opportunity for teachers to build community and develop as activists. Educators will participate in ItAGs linking social justice issues with classroom practice. Small groups will meet weekly (for a total of six, two-hour sessions plus a kick-off event) between January and March to share experiences, respond to readings, exchange ideas and develop plans of action. Each ItAG will facilitate a workshop at the second annual NYCoRE conference to be held on March 26, 2011 at Vanguard High School.
1)Interrupting Islamophobia
In this ItAG we will examine Islam through multiple lenses including gender, sexuality and culture. This exploration will form the basis for understanding the ways Islamophopbia manifests and impacts Muslim youth while identifying strategies for interrupting it. We invite anyone who is interested in becoming a resource in their community (school, organizational, or personal) on this issue.
Facilitators: Terna Tilley-Gyado is a dervish in the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Sufi Order. She was a NYC teacher for 5 years and now works for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Wazina Zondon is a Muslim-identified Afghan woman. She currently teaches sex ed in Brooklyn.
Location:TBA, in Manhattan
Dates:Mondays 6-8PM. Kick-off on 1/28, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14, and the conference on 3/26.
2)Queer! Fag! Tranny! Dyke!: Exploring Gender, Sexuality, and Anti-LGBT Bullying
A wave of tragic suicides by LGBT youth took place this year, many a direct result of bullying in schools. This ItAG is designed to explore the multi-faceted explanations for the rise of anti-LGBT bullying. Through media, panel discussions, guest speakers and an interactive format, our discussions will be geared towards having a better understanding of gender and sexuality. Where do anti-LGBT ideas come from? What does transgender mean? How do we define sex vs. gender? What language should we use when discussing sexuality with our students? The goal of this ItAG is to empower teachers and counselors with the language, skills and knowledge it takes to transform classrooms into safe spaces for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender identity & expression. As a closing to our ItAG, participants will plan and participate in a political action that will address a specific issue that relates to anti-LGBT bullying.
Facilitators: Ramon Javier: Born and raised in Washington Heights, Ramon has been working with young people for over 10 years. Currently, he is a counselor at a charter school in the Bronx. He and his wife are expecting their first child in February. Leia Petty is a guidance counselor at a high school in Bushwick and helps organize a Gay/Straight Alliance. She is also a political activist and contributor to .Benny Vasquez was born and raised in Brooklyn! He is currently the Director of Diversity at a local NYC independent school, prior to his current position, Benny was the Director of Education at GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).
Location:TBA, in Manhattan
Dates:Thursdays 6-8PM. Kick-off on 1/28, 2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, and the conference on 3/26.
3)Filling in the Gaps: Support and Action for Developing Teachers
The goal of this ItAG is to empower first- to third-year teachers with the language, skills, and mindset that it takes to transform classrooms into communities for change. This ItAG will focus on filling the gaps in the training and support for Alternatively Certified teachers (e.g., New York City Teaching Fellows, Teach for America, and Peace Corps Fellows). In particular, we will explore radical pedagogy, teacher identity development or definition, and what it means to be a part of a union. Our action will center on a constructive critique of Alternative Certification Programs. All educators are welcome.
Facilitators:Emily Clark is a former New York City Teaching Fellow and currently works at Manhattan High School as a special education Teacher. Kayty Himmelstein is a second year New York City Teaching Fellow; she works as a math teacher at West Brooklyn Community High School.
Location:TBA, in Manhattan
Dates:Saturdays 10AM-12PM. Kick-off on 1/28, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, and the conference on 3/26.
4) My Classroom is Anti-Racist: Theory to Practice to Action
What does it mean to be an anti-racist educator? This ItAG will focus on how
racism in the U.S. shows up in our personal interactions, in the classroom, and
in the school environment. We will examine the education system as a system
that maintains and perpetuates racism, and we will develop and share tools to
support anti-racist pedagogy, practice, and action. Note: This ItAG will be a safe
space that requires a commitment to engaging in “difficult conversations” and a
level of risk-taking and openness.
Facilitators:Erika Bernabei is an anti-racist organizer, a researcher at a social justice- oriented nonprofit, and a Ph.D. student focusing on oppressions and systemic intersections with education. Ama Codjoe is a poetry and social justice teaching artist with the DreamYard ACTION Project and teaches young women’s leadership with the Sadie Nash Leadership Project. Rachael Ibrahim is an Anti-Racist Social Work Community Organizer and activist using an anti-oppression framework with a focus on youth of the African Diaspora and international solidarity; Rachael also does contract work with The Hunter College School of Social Work teaching Community Organizing.
Location:Project Reach, 39 Eldridge Street (between Canal & Hester Streets)
Dates: Tuesdays 6-8PM. Kick-off on 1/28, 2/1 2/8, 2/15 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, and the conference on 3/26.
ItAG Kick-Off Meeting
A general kick-off meeting for all ItAG participants will be held Friday,January 28thfrom 6:00– 8:00 p.m. at NYU, 3rd floor Pless Lounge, 82 Washington Square East between Greene and Washington Square Park. Dinner provided. (Call 917-270-7901 if you have trouble finding the location). The ItAGs will culminate with each group presenting a workshop at the Second Annual NYCoRE Conference on March 26th at Vanguard High School, 317 E. 67th Street.
Registration
The registration fee is $30. Multiple teachers from the same school can register together for the same ItAG for a reduced rate of $25 each. This will cover the cost of materials and support NYCoRE’s ongoing work.
To register: visit
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