Ypsilanti Community Schools

This initiative aimed to transform its school's history education programs by shifting from traditional memorization learning to an inquiry-based, experiential learning model that honors the diverse identities of its student body. Driven by qualitative community feedback and quantitative assessment data highlighting academic disparities, the district partnered with external experts including the Black History 101 Mobile Museum and WeEmpower, LL to implement robust professional development, develop a K-12 experiential curriculum, and facilitate hands-on learning through artifacts and field experiences. These efforts aimed to foster deeper cultural connection and critical inquiry while sustaining progress through expanded local partnerships, the creation of digital artifact repositories, and the establishment of formal peer-learning networks to ensure the long-term success and inclusivity of history instruction.

 

Partners:

  • Dr. David Heiber - Redemption Inc.
  • Tom Burton - WeEmpower, LLC
  • Tommy Thompson - Visible Learning - Corwin
  • Dr. Khalid El-Hakin - Black History 101 Mobile Museum
  • Art and Social Studies Collaborative Project - Nick Azzaro
  • Cornelius Minor
  • Melinda Sol Manani - Mama Sol
  • Leidine King - WISD
  • YCS District Leadership

 

Project Resources:

 

Book Studies: 

  • Removing Labels - Dominque Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey. 
  • Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy - Emanual Acho
  • Lessons in Liberation: An Abolitioninst Toolkit for Educators - The Education for Liberation Network & Critical Resistance Editorial Collective

 

Initiative Activities:

  • Collaboration with historically marginized communities
  • Inspirational leadership professional development
  • Visible Learning training
  • Artifact-based teaching and learning by way of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum
  • Arts and Social Studies Collaborative Project
  • Professional development related to culturally affirming practices
  • Book studies around teaching inclusive history
  • Place-based learning experiences
  • Professional development specific to women in leadership - learning diverse leadership perspectives
  • Curriculum reflection specific to culturally relevant planning
  • District leadership training specific to local history
  • Creation of Grizzly "teacher' award to promote implementation of inclusive history

 

Additional resources coming soon!