We are not critical race theorists. We are public school teachers. The push to “ban critical race theory” intends to stop us from teaching our students the truth about U.S. history in a classroom that welcomes all of who they are.
Tag: Chavez Elementary
Chicago Unheard Contributor Ashley McCall Wins a Golden Apple Award
Congratulations to Chicago Unheard contributor Ashley McCall!
All These Third-Graders Are Saying Is, “Give Dreamers a Chance!”
Chavez Elementary students share their feelings about supporting Dreamers.
Grateful for These Pandemic “I Am” Poems
Third-graders from Chavez Elementary tell us about themselves and how they’re doing in the midst of the pandemic.
Gates’ New Grand Challenge Wants to Change Algebra I from a Gatekeeper to a Gateway
Yesterday, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced it will be making substantial grants to educators with groundbreaking strategies to make Algebra I more relevant to and equitable for young people who have been historically locked out of higher mathematics–meaning Black and Brown young people, especially those in poverty. Honestly, even more advantaged students can be derailed by a poor…
Chavez Elementary Students Say “Everyone Counts” in Census 2020
In the middle of all the intensity 2020 has thrown our way, let’s not forget a very important task families can do to support their schools: complete the Census 2020! Which, if you haven’t already done it, you can do right here: https://2020census.gov. Billions of dollars in federal and state money for schools, students and families is distributed on the…
My Chavez Students Are One in a Billion
Recently, Chicago Public Schools released a report from the CPS Inspector General’s office questioning how the NWEA test is given to students. While the report mainly focuses on lengthy testing times and frequent pauses during tests, it also includes a table that lists schools, grades and subjects where students achieved huge growth. This table includes Chavez Elementary’s third-graders, for growth…
When It Comes to Pride in Their Neighborhood, Third Graders at Chavez Elementary Say It Loud!
At Chavez Elementary, third-grade teachers Ashley McCall and Lindsey Singer and their students capped the year with a joint project: the online magazine Dilo Fuerte/Say It Loud. The magazine, written in Spanish and English, features book reviews, poetry, stories and interviews from leaders and activists in Back of the Yards, across the South and Southwest Sides of Chicago, and around…