ESJ NEWSLETTER
MAY 2021

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dear friends:
In the last several months our country has continued to reckon with racial discrimination, violence, and hate. We stand with our AAPI and BIPOC brothers and sisters and emphatically condemn all acts that affect human freedom, human dignity, and human life. We also want to take a public stance and support those school districts and private schools who are committing to anti-racist education and meeting up with resistance; please consider attending our POP UP EVENT (more information below) to learn more about the challenges in our region.
After a school year like no other, we all need a chance to recover and reset. It is also an opportunity to build on the strength, knowledge, and support of our colleagues, students, and community members in order to rethink the possible and move toward educational equity. Educational stakeholders throughout and beyond the St. Louis Region will share lessons, resources, and strategies through virtual table presentations and workshops. Please spread the word and apply to share your knowledge and help create schools in which all students, of all identities may thrive.
We recognize that socially just education is a powerful form of activism and we invite you to continue to support our mission and goals by participating in our events and donating to our cause.
In solidarity,
Board of Directors
Educators For Social Justice
OUR MISSION & GOALS
Our Mission
ESJ is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting socially just education in order to attain the success of every teacher and student. We believe that socially just education is a form of activism that enables educators to remove barriers and create inclusive, equitable, and innovative spaces. Our organization empowers educators through resources, events, and a supportive community to aid them in their journey towards creating a more equitable education system.
Our Goals
To engage educators in supporting social justice curriculum and practices, to build and maintain equity within the educations system, and discuss social justice issues in classrooms, schools and communities.
Educating for Change Conference -- “Reset, Recover, Rethink: Paving A New Road Towards Justice”
Thursday, July 15th, 9am to Saturday, July 17th, 12pm
This is an online event.
What we have lived through the last year has been difficult for all of us. We have suffered personal losses, job insecurity, the ever-present threat of getting sick as well as political upheaval. Teachers and students have been directly impacted by the pandemic, and we all have done our best to serve our students while trying to take care of ourselves and our families. We have made it this far and we at ESJ want to honor the resilience that got us here. Although we are far from normal, it is time to let some hope in so that we can reset and begin to recover. We are one year wiser, stronger, and very well aware of the inequities in our schools. Let's use our experiences to rethink our approach to equitable practices in education so that we can pave a new road towards justice.
Please RSVP for an early bird discount at registration.
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR VIRTUAL PRESENTERS!!!
We are still looking for presenters. If you are interested, please tell us about yourself and the topic you would like to present on by filling out the form below. Our new deadline to apply is Sunday, June 6. We will let you know whether your submission has been approved by the end of June. Thank you to those who submitted already submitted proposals; we will be in touch with you soon.
EVENT COUNTDOWN CONTINUES FOR VIRTUAL EDUCATING FOR CHANGE CONFERENCE 2021 (and check out our POP UP EVENT!)
May 22 @ 9am: Let's Volunteer Together at Harvest STL Several organizations in St. Louis share a similar mission of improving local community access to fruits and vegetables while working to eliminate food deserts. Let's get together to work towards this worthy cause. This year, we will be teaming up with Urban Harvest STL where we will volunteer at the rooftop farm. Their mission is to "build community around inclusive, resilient, local food systems. | POP UP EVENT!!! MAY 26 @6PM: VIRTUAL FORUM - Let's talk about HB1141 & HB952Since the Missouri House Bill 1141 gained attention in late-April there has been growing concern about how it would impact educational equity efforts across the region. At this forum we will hear for experts to learn about this legislation, teachers’ rights, the ramifications, and the integration of racial equity in school curriculum. We invite you to join this timely discussion. There will be a Q&A session at the end. | June 20: Panel Discussion, "People on the Move" Refugees and immigrants have played a central role in the construction of urban spaces and identities in the U.S. since the country's inception. At the same time, their experiences and voices have not been adequately incorporated into the dominant narrative of American history. Please join us on World Refugee Day to hear the individual stories of these courageous members of our community. |
May 22 @ 9am: Let's Volunteer Together at Harvest STL
POP UP EVENT!!! MAY 26 @6PM: VIRTUAL FORUM - Let's talk about HB1141 & HB952
Since the Missouri House Bill 1141 gained attention in late-April there has been growing concern about how it would impact educational equity efforts across the region. At this forum we will hear for experts to learn about this legislation, teachers’ rights, the ramifications, and the integration of racial equity in school curriculum. We invite you to join this timely discussion. There will be a Q&A session at the end.
June 20: Panel Discussion, "People on the Move"

Conversation with Ben Austen -- High Risers: Public Housing, Displacement and Why It Matters Today
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
CONTACT US
We always love to hear from you! Send us some love or tell us what we can do better by emailing us at: esj@stl.com