Educators for Social Justice

Programming: ESJ has six main initiatives. Our initiatives are unique because they are run by educators for educators.

(1) Educating for Change Curriculum Conference: This is a conference led by and for educators. We invite nationally known educational leaders to give keynote presentations. The conference features dozens of workshops, interactive curriculum tables displaying social justice curriculum, and organizational resource tables. All of these presentations are led by educators. Approximately 400 people attend each year.

(2) Inquiry to Action Groups (ItAGS): ItAGs are similar study group that come together around a social justice issue or topic. The group studies the issue and collaboratively decides on a plan of action.

(3) Courageous Educator Award: Each year, ESJ solicits nominations for the Courageous Educator Award which recognizes an educator/group of educators that has made recognizable progress on a curricular or community initiative for educational justice and equity.

(4) Educators for Social Justice Teacher Grant: ESJ sponsors a competitive grant application for educators to apply for funds to support social justice education.

(5). #Breakthepipeline: Educators for Social Justice is committed to educating teachers, parents, and community members about how to interrupt institutionalized racism as it is manifested through the school-to-prison-pipeline. ESJ is partnering with community organizations to urge all metro school districts to eliminate out of school suspensions for K-3.

(6). Racial Equity Curriculum Partnership: This is a collaborative initiative between ESJ and We Stories that focuses on bringing together mentor and apprentice teachers to teach racial literacy. Teachers work together to plan, implement, and reflect on interactive read alouds focused on racial equity and associated activities for K-3rd graders.