OF NOTE

A Monthly Update from The Nellie Mae Education Foundation

Redefining Culturally Relevant Education

What does culturally competent and relevant education look like? Often, cultural relevancy is thought of as a lesson plan that represents the students it was designed for, particularly students of color. While this is a good place to start, culturally competent education stretches far beyond the curriculum; it values students' personhood inside and outside of the classroom, offers them a chance to engage with learning as liberation, and amplifies the voices of educators of color. Join us as we dive deeper into what culturally relevant education can mean when we prioritize the experiences and voices of students, educators, and families of color, and check out the work of Nellie Mae grantees like the Abolitionist Teaching Network and the Education for Liberation Network for resources.

UPCOMING WEBINARS FEATURING NELLIE MAE STAFF

We are excited to share two upcoming online panels hosted by Grantmakers for Education and featuring Nellie Mae staff and community members! First, check out "The Future of Education: Youth, Families, and Communities as Educational Leaders," featuring our grantee Portland Empowered’s Director Pious Ali and Nellie Mae’s Program Officer Alexis Harewood, on Monday May 2, 2022.

On Tuesday May 3, 2022, check out "More Than a Monolith: Data Disaggregation as a Pathway to Equity for AAPI Communities." This online panel features our grantee ARISE’s Founding Executive Director Chanda Womack and Nellie Mae’s Senior Program Officer Ellen Wang.

BUILDING ON ETHNIC STUDIES WITH DECOLONIAL EDUCATION

Ethnic studies have provided students with more accurate, representative history lessons in schools, even when facing racist backlash. While ethnic studies are an important step in achieving equitable education, many educators are advocating that we prioritize decolonial education to truly empower students to make decisions about our country’s future. Learn more in this piece from Nellie Mae grantee Prism.

PRIORITIZING BLACK STUDENTS' MENTAL HEALTH

Schools have an opportunity to become sources of culturally relevant social and emotional support for Black students, who are less likely than their white peers to receive critical support. By embracing a community approach, schools can prevent tragedy. Content warning: suicide.

RECOGNIZING POWER IN CULTURALLY RELEVANT TEACHING

Kauakanilehua Adams argues that culturally relevant education means fully deconstructing and reshaping the curriculum, not denying students of color academically challenging opportunities that more privileged students get. Teachers must understand their position of power over these students to address their biases and provide truly equitable education.

NELLIE MAE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT

Nellie Mae is proud to announce that Mishone Donelson, Senior Vice President and Senior Managing Director at Horizon Technology Finance, has been appointed to our Board. Check out our blog to learn more about Mishone's educational equity work.

In This Issue

Celebrating AAPI Heritage in the Classroom

As we prepare to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this May, it's important that educators engage in culturally relevant education around AAPI history both this month and all year round. These resources provide some guidance to incorporating AAPI voices into classroom curriculum.