Scottsdale students have spent the month of February learning about the contributions to our nation’s history by African-Americans – ones whose names are familiar to and others who, perhaps, are not:  Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to become a NASA astronaut; composer and blues musician W. C. Handy; abolitionist Frederick Douglass; presidential advisor Mary McLeod Bethune; and many more.  Black history is American history.

This month, students have read African-American authors and poets, read about trailblazers such as Jackie Robinson and Rosa Parks, studied historic legal proceedings such as Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, and engaged in everything from thoughtful classroom discussions to more light-hearted learning through trivia games.  In turn, students have transformed that learning into biographies, essays and pieces of art to celebrate the significant roles African-Americans have in our shared, American culture.

Some high school students watched a video about Muhammad Ali and his activism, and connected it to modern-day athletes.  At Desert Mountain High School, Dr. Lisa Hirsch spoke to her students about Black Excellence and each week, shared a quote or pertinent author to reflect the theme of “We rise by lifting each other.”

From hallway posters, bulletin boards and library book displays to important and impactful class discussions, students across the District have had opportunities this month to learn age-appropriate lessons about the legacy, importance and value of African-American leaders, black culture and the immeasurable contributions of black Americans to our country’s heritage.  Our student body has impressed even our most tenured teachers by handling what can be emotional topics with thoughtful discussion and respect.