By Annie Hoang, Staff Writer
In honor of Black History Month, Rampage contacted Social Sciences Department Chair Riley Saxon via email to discuss how history teachers integrate Black history into their lessons and curriculum throughout the whole school year.
Throughout the entire year, how do you integrate diverse groups and people of color into your curriculum?
More than simply implementing diverse groups or people of color into the curriculum, they are our curriculum and focus. Every single unit and chapter has events from different viewpoints, and as teachers, we work to highlight those perspectives, particularly regarding events that aren’t often shown in a diverse light.
How do our history textbooks cover the history of African Americans and other people of color?
They are simply the starting point. Every history teacher goes beyond the textbook every day, offering supplemental material in the form of primary or secondary sources to deepen students’ understanding of how minority groups experienced history.
Are you going to teach anything special this month since it is Black History Month?
Yes.
What is your opinion on how well the school/department is teaching multiple perspectives?
We are the best department at teaching our content from multiple perspectives.
Lastly, is there anything else you would like to add?
As a department, we consistently reflect on our practices and collaborate in an effort to provide the best experience for our students.