Session 7
(1:45 - 2:30)

Presenter & Affiliation:  Amanda Platt

Session Description:  This presentation will spark discussion about teaching controversial subjects with students. The presenter will begin by presenting a brief synthesis of research on teaching controversial topics and teaching during times of political tension. The focus of the workshop will involve participants analyzing and discussing case studies. The case studies will include various classroom scenarios. Participants will critique teacher actions presented in the case studies and share strategies they would use if they were placed in these scenarios. The primary goal of the workshop is for teachers to takeaway strategies on handling difficult, controversial conversations in the classroom.

Room: William Penn

Presenter & Affiliation: Teresa G. Wojcik, Christa Bialka, & Nicole Henson, Villanova University

Session Description:  Among the historical figures who have championed American civil rights and worked to create a more just society are individuals with disabilities. Disability, however, is commonly excluded from conversations related to diversity and social justice (Pugach et al., 2021). Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, New Jersey mandated that secondary (grades 6-12) social studies teachers educate students about the social, political, and economic contributions of persons with disabilities. This session will share the results of an exploratory study that examined the attitudes, perceptions, and practices of New Jersey teachers in response to this mandate. In addition, the presenters will share resources for integrating disability history into the social studies curriculum.

Room: Robert Fulton

Presenter & Affiliation: 

Session Description:  

Room: Ben Franklin

Presenter & Affiliation: Dori Gerber, Institute for Curricular Services

Session Description:  Knowledge of the world’s religions is essential for understanding much of history, literature, art, and contemporary events, as well as cultivating mutual respect amongst different faiths. This session aims to increase participants' knowledge level of one of the world's oldest religions and its global, historical impact through examining the origin of Judaism, highlighting its rich history, laws, traditions, and diversity, while also recognizing that Judaism has a uniqueness of being a culture, as well as a religion.

Room: Pennsylvania C

Presenter & Affiliation: Claire Bellerjeau, RememberLiss.org

Session Description:  "“Remember Liss” shares the true story of an enslaved Black woman from New York seeking freedom during the Revolutionary War. As Robert Townsend (Washington's spy ""Culper, Jr."" and her enslaver’s son) wrestles with his own anti-slavery beliefs, students gain an in-depth view into the difficulties of becoming free. Educators gain online access to primary documents which help bring students a more truthful understanding of slavery in New York during the founding era. At a time when political tensions ask educators to choose between 1619 and 1776, Liss’ true story weaves these narratives together as one unified tapestry of America's birth.

Room: Pennsylvania D