Progressive teachers like you are too valuable. Someone needs to make sure you don’t burn out.
Our Pedagogy
Our pedagogical approach is unique. Our aim is to help teachers create classroom experiences that allow young people to develop empathy and empower them with the capacities to challenge unjust systems and inaccurate historical narratives. Our curriculum pushes students to envision themselves as decision-makers and places them in the role of active civic participants. We believe deeply in the power of joy, excitement, and community to the learning process.
Joy in one’s community, the knowledge needed to build empathy, and the skills needed to feel empowered. That’s our model for helping young people become skilled civic participants.
Meet Our Team
Gabriell Gaiter
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Gabriell Gaiter has taught both ELA and Social Studies in New York, and later Chicago, for over 6 years. Gabriell holds a Masters in Education as well as a Maters in Public Administration from the University of Houston. She is passionate about bringing Social Studies courses which emphasize the value of empathy, cross-cultural understanding, and curiosity to more teachers.
Arax Tramblian LeFevre
Director of Curriculum
Arax Tramblian LeFevre has been a Social Studies teacher for over eight years in New York. She is passionate about creating opportunities for joy, curiosity, and empowerment in the classroom. Arax also strongly believes in the importance of creating sustainable conditions for Social Studies teachers. She holds a Masters in Social Studies Education from Hunter College.
Stephanie Toure
Director of School, Teacher, & Community Outreach
Stephanie Toure has been teaching for over 12 years in New York City. She holds a Masters in General Education from City College, as well as a Masters in Gifted and Talented Education from Columbia Teachers College. She is passionate about incorporating high-quality history instruction into ELA classes.
The Power of Community: Understanding the Development of Chinese American Communities Across the South Since Reconstruction
In this lesson, students participate in a gallery walk, exploring a curated collection of historical sources that illuminate the compelling story of how and why Chinese American communities thrived in rural areas of the American South since the Reconstruction period. This interactive activity not only enhances students’ understanding of this lesser-known aspect of American history, but also serves as a vital means of integrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) narratives into the broader American history curriculum, fostering a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of our nation’s past.
The Power of Memoir: Understanding Life in Japanese Incarceration Camps
In this lesson plan, students delve into the harrowing history of Japanese incarceration camps during World War II by reading memoirs penned by survivors. By analyzing excerpts from Jeanne Wakatsuki’s “Farewell to Manzanar” and portions of Yuri Kochiyama’s “Then Came the War,” students gain insight into the personal experiences, challenges, and resilience of those interned, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of this historical chapter.
The History of Juneteenth
In this lesson, students delve into the historical significance of Juneteenth by analyzing a variety of primary sources. They explore photographs, newspaper articles, speeches, and personal narratives to uncover the origins and evolution of the holiday, gaining insight into the early Juneteenth celebrations that marked the emancipation of enslaved individuals. Through these tangible connections to the past, students develop an understanding of the holiday’s roots and its cultural importance in commemorating freedom and African American heritage.
The 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments
In this thought-provoking lesson, students engage in a hands-on exploration of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution. Through a set of scenario cards depicting real life situations, students step into the role of legal experts, analyzing each case to determine which amendment applies. This exercise not only enhances their understanding of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments but also fosters critical thinking and empathy as they grapple with real-life instances of injustice and the legal mechanisms civil rights attorneys have used to address them.
Our Goals
- To help Social Studies teachers build a better work-life balance without sacrificing the quality of instruction.
- To spark joy, curiosity, and a feeling of collective power in students.
- To teach students the skills and competencies needed to be changemakers and to understand local, national, and international social justice issues.
- To cultivate students’ capacities to think like historians.
- To promote understanding of anti-racist policies and initiatives through critical examination of historical patterns and systemic oppression.