Lit from within – California Teachers Association
I can be that too!
Educator Nadine A. Luc writes children’s books that reflect young people from all walks of life and especially children of color. 2020 I Can Be That Too from the members of the Palmdale Elementary Teachers Association! The series shows and tells young readers that there are no limits to their dreams, no matter their skin color or socio-economic background. The musician, fashion designer vet and gymnast are available in English and Spanish, along with activity books. And don’t miss Luke’s They Call Me Africa, on the journey of a boy facing racism and bullying from his classmates. On njlukepublishing.com and Amazon.
Congratulations to everybody
Accessories at Karalee Wong Nakatsuka, Arcadia Teachers Association; Karla Zambrano-Armijos, United Educators of San Francisco; and Andrew Williams, Gilroy Teachers Association. All were featured in Time magazine “Educators Who Saved a Pandemic School Year†in September.
Eighth-grade history teacher Nakatsuka was praised for quickly adapting her lesson plan in March after a gunman in Atlanta killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent. Her district is 70% AAPI, and students already feared anti-Asian hate crimes amid the pandemic. She chose to focus on the history of anti-Asian discrimination in the United States and made all students feel comfortable talking about their feelings and experiences.
In March 2020, family support specialist Zambrano-Armijos was suddenly asked to coordinate a daily hour-long TV show for children in San Francisco during the lockdown. Selected because of her expertise in early childhood education, she soon aired the SF Loves Learning program on a local TV channel and streamed on YouTube. She called on the city’s museums, the San Francisco Ballet, and the public library to help with segments on science, movement, literacy and more. The show ran for three seasons. Williams, as we reported earlier this year, built offices for needy students during the pandemic. Congratulations to all !
Show us your booty
We love to see new items that our locals have to offer, such as these items from the Selma Unified Teachers Association. We want to see yours – ideally worn by members. Post photos on CTA’s Facebook page or email us at [email protected] with the hashtag #CTAlocalswag.
Got something for this page? Tell us at [email protected] with “Lit from within” in the subject line. We are looking at some new work (ish) that can be used in the classroom.