In February at Athena we educate our learners on the powerful contributions of various black leaders throughout history. We share children's’ books and stories, lead discussions about these peoples’ lives during our circle time gatherings, and make items available throughout the school day for the children to explore independently. Each year the guides choose at least two individuals to focus on and introduce to the class. While it is imperative that we continue to educate on historic figures throughout Black History Month (and the rest of the year as well), as a school, we also feel that it is equally imperative to feature and highlight current and lesser known contemporary Black leaders. This approach provides an opportunity for the children to learn about relatable people and ultimately, this instills an understanding that black history is an integral part not only of our history but also our future. As a school, we want to take a moment to highlight the contributions of several contemporary black figures who are trailblazing in the United States judicial system: At 26, Janif Johnson is the youngest Magisterial District Judge in Pennsylvania. His term began in January of 2018. In 2017, he defeated Republican candidate Claude Phillips to capture 953 out of 1,300 votes or 73% of the total. You can learn more about him here: blackpast.orgStay tuned to your classroom's Transparent Classroom page to learn more about who your class will be learning about this year. Lastly, do you have individuals you think we should highlight? Send them our way! |