“Young children have so much capacity for empathy and justice. [Teaching] makes me super hopeful. There can be all kinds of things going on in the world, but in this space, they’re empathic. They’re caring for each other.”
~Regina Santiago, AmazeWorks Teacher Task Force
Before we know it, a new rainbow of backpacks will be filling classroom cubbies and hallway lockers, gearing up for another year of learning and community.
But with the year we’ve had, many teachers are facing more fears than flutters. In this newsletter, we explore productive ways to manage our emotions and engage in a healthy optimism—one that acknowledges and takes seriously the real and present struggles being carried inside school walls.
Inspired by Elena Aguilar’s Habits and Dispositions, we’re channeling optimism as a necessary component of cultivating classrooms where kids can engage in learning, form fulfilling relationships, and know they belong.
Back-to-school season often gets us buzzing with excitement and ambition. And in our current world, that high energy may be further intensified by overwhelm and uncertainty. We’re likely worried about our students whose identities and livelihoods are under attack. We may even feel job insecurity as teaching and education are being increasingly scrutinized.
How do we remain grounded in our goals and purpose while also staying present and responsive to our world? In this article, Regina Santiago reflects on how her classroom is a source of optimism and empowerment when the outside struggles feel like too much.
Regina’s role as a teacher allows her to break down barriers for her students whose identities and lived experiences are less often reflected in their learning. She believes that each child and each book has the capacity to make the world a little more peaceful.
Contrary to popular belief, kids can handle hard conversations about hard topics.
AmazeWorks Book Sets help adults navigate honest discussions about human differences that empower children. These stories meet kids where they are developmentally, giving them language to understand the world and the courage to change it. All children deserve to explore their own ability to make a difference.
That’s why we’re highlighting two book sets: Friendship Across Differences and Racism and Discrimination. These resources use discussion and activity guides to tackle challenging topics with optimism that generates transformative change.
Meaningful relationships can form across differences in appearance, language, culture, and faith. This resource provides positive representation of Jewish, Muslim, Black, and immigrant identities and friendships. Amid rising antisemitism, book censorship, and threats to immigrant and communities of color, this book set is a crucial resource for guiding children in learning from history and treating others with dignity and humanity.
All 5 books are published by Kar-Ben Publishing, a division of Lerner Publishing Group and the largest publisher of Jewish-themed children’s books!
Conversations about race are not divisive—they are a step toward healing, understanding, and collective action. This newly updated book set navigates intentional, honest conversations with children about race, racism, and discrimination.
Families of color often have these conversations early and regularly, not as a choice, but as a necessity. White and multiracial families must engage in these critical discussions, too.
Silence allows harmful ideas and systems to persist unchallenged. Our voices have the power to spark transformative change.
Alongside many anti-bias educators, AmazeWorks often looks to the work of Elena Aguilar—teacher, author, and thought leader—to instill meaningful teaching practices. In her book Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators, she recommends channeling the following Habits and Dispositions during the month of August:
This week, take notice of the story you tell yourself when you face an insecurity or inconvenience. Then, we challenge you to rewrite the story. Remember, the story is your interpretation of an event. That interpretation shapes how you feel—and how you respond.
Elena Aguilar example:
Who’s making their Minnesota State Fair plans?
AmazeWorks is proud to sponsor Alphabet Forest, a great spot for kids and families to engage in learning, reading, and fun.
Join us August 21 — September 1, with each day featuring a different author who will lead a book reading and activity. We can’t wait to see you there!
Twin Cities residents: You can now grocery shop and support AmazeWorks at the same time!
When you shop at the Kowalski’s on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, you can support AmazeWorks simply by placing your receipt in the Groceries for Good Causes bin labeled “AmazeWorks” on your way out the door.
Join American Writers Museum and Teach Tank for an online professional development session on August 5 at 10AM CT! This session will support educators in using writing as a healing practice, facilitating complex conversations through writing experiences, and developing culturally responsive writing strategies that can be used across grade levels and content areas.
New AmazeWorks Book Sets coming soon!
Courageous Children with Lerner Publishing Group
Amara, Persona Doll