conversations Archives

Optimism That Acknowledges Struggle: Back-To-School 2025

July 2025 Learning for Belonging Newsletter “Young children have so much capacity for empathy and justice. [Teaching] makes me super hopeful. There can be all kinds

the silhouette of a hand placing their vote in a ballot box

Election Resources for Voting, Respectful Conversations, and More

Election Day is just around the corner! We know belonging is on the ballot. Let’s also remember to center belonging in our everyday actions. We

A Black woman with an afro and white t-shirt sits with her child with medium-length curly hair. They're wearing earphones and watching something together on a laptop and look mid-conversation.

No Tricks, Just Tools for Election Stress

Dear AmazeWorks community, It’s Halloween—a day that’s often at its spookiest during an election year. We’re dealing with uncertainty and fear. We’re learning more about the beliefs

A BIPOC woman with long brown hair wearing a suit holds a megaphone to her mouth, facing a White man also wearing a suit, making a displeased face.

Belonging Beyond the Ballot Box: Navigating Election Season Conversations

At AmazeWorks, our mission is to champion equity and belonging for all. However, in a time when our country is deeply divided, it’s really hard

A teacher sitting on the floor holding a book, reading aloud to five students.

#TeachingBravely: Meet the brave teachers of AmazeWorks

AmazeWorks is extending our gratitude for brave teachers throughout the entire month of May with our #TeachingBravely campaign. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to support the

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.

Racism STOPS with Me: Inviting White Students into Antiracism

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,

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.

Black Joy Book Set for Caregivers and Educators

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

"Sample Middle School Lessons" written in orange text. Standing to the left is a teacher wearing an orange shirt and pants and holding a gray book. The teacher is standing on top of two giant books stacked on top of each other.

Sample AmazeWorks Middle School Curriculum Lessons

Book cover of “Where Are You From?” By Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Jaime Kim. A mustached father wearing a green cardigan, button-down shirt, red pants, yellow hat, and glasses holds his daughter on his shoulders. His daughter’s hair is in pigtails, and she is wearing a pink shirt with her arms outstretched. They are walking through a field with birds flying behind them.

AmazeWorks Elementary Lessons on Latino/a/e/x Identities

“We Are Water Protectors” book cover, written by Carole Windstrom and illustrated by Michaela Goade. An Ojibwe girl stands holding a feather in front of a moon and standing in water with silhouettes of people holding hands in the background.

AmazeWorks Elementary Lessons on Native American/Indigenous Identities

AmazeWorks Business and Operations Director, Melissa Hendrickx, smiling and standing with her arms leaning on a wooden railing against a scenic background of trees and water

The Reflective Teacher Podcast – AmazeWorks Persona Dolls

Book cover of “A Map into the World,” written by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Seo Kim. A child draws a green house with a red roof in chalk on the sidewalk. She is surrounded plants and grass.

AmazeWorks Elementary Lessons on Asian American Identities

Click here to access the free lessons Click here to purchase this AMAZE-ing book set!

AmazeWorks Executive Director, Rebecca Slaby, smiling next to text that reads, "Creating a Culture of Belonging through Anti-Bias Training with Rebecca Slaby" in black text. Rebecca has long black hair and is wearing a black shirt.

“Lean Into You” Podcast – Creating a Culture of Belonging

“LEAN INTO YOU” PODCAST with Alex Farrell and Wesley Mayes Lean Into You is a self-care podcast to remind Early Childhood Educators the best investment

"Creating a Circle of Support for Ourselves and Our Children" written in orange text. Blue stems with yellow circular leaves are in the top left and bottom right corners.

Creating A Circle Of Care And Support For Ourselves And Our Children – Webinar Series #2

https://youtu.be/ywJd6XDy0z4 #1 – Letting Go and Letting Growth, 3/11/2021 https://youtu.be/jPXxB2qUbOE #2 – New Beginnings and Growth, 3/18/2021 https://youtu.be/2GsNYzDoth8 #3 – Connection and Growth, 3/25/2021 In

Responding to anti-Asian hate and violence

Here we are again. Responding to identity-based hate and violence an organization, as a community, as a nation, and as individuals trying to process, reckon

Making Sense of it All: Teaching Current Events with an Anti-Bias Education Mindset

The mob attack on The Capitol yesterday has left many educators wondering what to say to their students. Many of us are angry, yet unsurprised

image designed by Shirien Damra of George Floyd with his eyes closed surrounded by a wreath of flowers and leaves. "Justice for George" is written in blue.

A Reflection on George Floyd’s Death: Where do we go from here? From helplessness to action

I am marveling at how much things can change in a week. Just over a week ago, I was preparing to write this note about

Book cover for "When Aidan Became a Brother," featuring a young child sitting on his father's shoulders and being kissed on the forehead by his mother.

PRIDE Resources – Book Lessons for Ages 3 and Up

These collections of lessons helps guide conversations with children on diverse gender identities and family structures, including gender identity and expression. We know that PRIDE

Book cover for Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire,” written by Dr. Artika Tyner and Jacklyn Milton and illustrated by Jeremy Norton and Janos Urban. The book cover features a young Black girl, Justice, wearing a red cape, a blue shirt, and glasses. The book title is written in bold red and white font. Justice is standing in front of a blue sky with clouds.

AmazeWorks Lessons on Navigating Difficult Conversations with Children and Youth on Race, Racism, and Discrimination

Creating A Circle Of Care And Support For Ourselves And Our Children – Webinar Series #1

#1 – Discussing Separation and Attachment during COVID-19, 4/28/2020 #2 Discovering the Five Basic Needs, 5/5/2020 #3 – The Five Positions of Control, 5/19/2020 In

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