Eyes and ears have were open in classrooms across the District this month as students learned about Black history from new District Resource Teacher dedicated to anti-racism education, Raman Gill.
The new position was created following a Board motion passed in March 2019 to increase supports development, implementation and evaluation of procedures, programs and services that promote and support the principles of anti-racism education.
Gill started in her new role back in September 2019 which is dedicated to promoting anti-racism in schools. Part of her focus is educating staff and students on Black history this month. Gill has worked with many outside organizations to assist in the creation of Black History Month lessons including the African Descent Society and the National Congress of Black Women.
"There is a need for Black history lessons in our schools," says Gill. "It's important for younger age groups to start learning about the history at these early stages to prevent racism later on," she adds.
Gill started her teaching career at General Wolfe Elementary in 2011. Since then she has taught at a number of Vancouver schools. Raman is very excited to be back in the classroom and to also to take on the role of implementing a Black history curriculum at the District.
Gill's first Black History Month lesson was at Quilchena Elementary, where she taught Grade 3/4 students about Martin Luther King Jr. Students watched a virtual storybook that shared details of Martin Luther King Jr's life story and the racism that he faced growing up as a Black man in Atlanta, Georgia. After story time, students had an opportunity to write down what they would say to Martin Luther King Jr. if they were able to meet him in person.
"If I met Martin Luther King Jr, I would thank him for doing his best for the world." says Grade 3 student Lucas.
"If I met Martin Luther King Jr, I would ask him why there would be a law that said Black people can't go to certain places" adds Alice, a fellow Grade 3 student.
During another classroom visit at Hastings Elementary on February 21, Gill taught Grade 5/6 students about the history of Hogan's Alley - the first ethnically diverse neighbourhood in Vancouver. Students also learned about many Black historical figures in Vancouver, such as Barbara Howard- a famous Vancouver-based athlete and educator. Howard was also the first Black person hired by the Vancouver School District.
After the lesson, students were asked to research a historical figure from the Black community that inspires them. Students wrote about many inspiring people, including Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and Jimi Hendrix. Students then shared their learning with one another.
Grade 6 student Lily says, "I think Rosa Parks is very inspiring because she sat on at the front of the bus when she was told not to. She didn't care about the rules. She didn't want to follow them because she was determined to make a difference."
As Gill wraps up her Black History Month lessons at Van Horne Elementary and University-Hill Secondary, she is inspired to continue these lessons in the future. "This is only the beginning," says Gill. "There is still so much that I'm looking forward to in the coming months at our schools. I'm really excited to take on this new role," She adds.
Stay tuned for our next story about the work that the African Descent Society is doing in our classrooms for Black History Month!
