Books for Belonging: October 2023 Newsletter

AmazeWorks staff smiling and posing with some of the banned books featured in our anti-bias curriculum and programs. The featured books include, "And Tango Makes Three," "I Am Jazz," "Heather Has Two Mommies," "When Aidan Became a Brother," "Stella Brings the Family," "The Proudest Blue," "The Name Jar," and "Something Happened In Our Town."

Banned Books Week was October 1-7, a week that brings attention to the harm of book censorship and uplifts community efforts to keep stories accessible. We’re not done celebrating books that bring belonging to life. This month’s newsletter is all about highlighting the ways that books, including banned books, can help create the conditions of belonging for […]

Racism STOPS with Me: Inviting White Students into Antiracism

Photo of Sydney Carlson, a mixed race (Black and White) woman wearing a white button up shirt with horizontal and vertical black stripes. She has blonde curly hair and is wearing sunglasses and hoop earrings.

An Interview with Sydney Carlson written by Sophie Herrington Sydney Carlson knows the power of regular, intentional conversations about racial identity and difference. In 2016, Sydney worked at J.J. Hill Montessori Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota. When Philando Castile, the school’s nutrition services supervisor, was a victim of police brutality, she mourned his life […]

Turning Acknowledgment into Action: September 2023 Newsletter

Four Native people wearing traditional Native dress, including headdresses and moccasins, at an outdoor event.

October 9 is Indigenous People’s Day, a day dedicated to honoring and uplifting Indigenous cultures, people, and contributions. Indigenous People’s Day provides an opportunity to engage in truth seeking by shedding light on Indigenous stories that have often been manipulated or omitted. It serves as a reminder to reject white supremacy culture, acknowledging its role […]

Knowing Your WHY: August 2023 Newsletter

A white poster titled, "What is your Why?" covered in multi-colored post-it notes with educators' reasons for joining the teaching profession

As we gear up for back-to-school season, we encourage you to reflect on WHY you are a part of our anti-bias community that works to bring belonging to life. Whether you’re approaching back-to-school from the perspective of an educator, a caregiver, or simply a human facing a season of transition, being able to revisit the reason we care about belonging for […]

AmazeWorks Middle School Lessons on Ability and Neurodiversity

a cheerleader with down syndrome wearing a black, red, and white uniform. She is holding one black and white pom pom on her hip and one red and white pom pom above her head. She stands outside in the grass in front of a large house and cloudy sky.

July was Disability Pride Month, a month to honor and celebrate the achievements, history, and experiences of disability experiences. Even though July is over, it’s important to center stories about disability throughout the year. That’s why we’re sharing two lessons from the Ability and Neurodiversity module of our Middle School Curriculum: Confident Teens with Disabilities […]

Leaning into Joy: June 2023 Newsletter

A person in the woods facing away from the camera and reaching their arms out

Dear AmazeWorks community, We are so excited to welcome the month of June and with it, Pride Month and Juneteenth. June’s holidays embrace JOY and encourage us to take pride in our identities. Black and queer people continue to fight for their right to exist freely and authentically in our society. Pride Month and Juneteenth […]

Black Joy Book Set for Caregivers and Educators

Book cover for "Hair Love," written by Matthew A. Cherry and illustrated by Vashti Harrison. The cover shows a Black child with big, curly hair on the shoulders of her dad, wearing dreads pulled back into a ponytail.

Click here for black joy lessons Dear Caregivers and Educators, This collection of lessons about Black joy serves as a resource to promote the healthy identity development of Black and Brown children by uplifting Black joy and positive experiences. In a society that does not often prioritize the health, wellbeing, and wholeness of those in […]

Building Peace: May 2023 Newsletter

Two children's hands planting seeds in a small white planter

Click here to access the full newsletter. How do we invite peace into suffering? How do we welcome joy and celebration into grief and loss? “Looking on the bright side” or “focusing on the positive” can dismiss or minimize heavier feelings worthy of attention and care. But when we invite positive thoughts of gratitude and comfort […]

Celebrating, Not Appropriating, Cinco De Mayo

Namecard reading, "Cinco de Mayo" on a table with a red tablecloth, featuring two tacos on a plate

written by Tina Alvir-Romero For teachers, the month of May is always a whirlwind–testing, projects and presentations, festivals and graduations, etc. As a former Spanish teacher, Cinco de Mayo always felt like a culmination. While food days and celebrations in class never disappoint and are loads of fun, I have always felt it was imperative […]

How Zooming in Can Build Peace

Smiling headshot of Regina Santiago wearing a black shirt with white hearts and a necklace

An Interview with Regina Santiago, written by Sophie Herrington What would it look like to build peace? As a K-2 educator, author, and freelance curriculum writer, Regina Santiago asked this question and now supports peace builders in classrooms and communities everywhere she goes.  In 2020, Regina participated in Room to Read’s Peace and Equality Book […]

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