This week, we cover public art in action, the state’s teacher shortage and student activism.
This project is a summer professional development institute with a growing network of 5th – 12th Grade teachers integrating jazz into their history, government, social studies, language arts and music classes.
What can jazz possibly teach us about democracy? One place to start is the idea of process over product: both jazz and democracy are an approach: one having to do with music, the other with government/society. The J&D Curriculum Think Tank is exploring the intersections of both and convenes on July 7th. Enroll your child by then.
Sparked by last year’s Black Lives Matter Protests, school districts were figuring out the role of police on school grounds. The Oaklandside sat down with two student reporters on how adults can be allies and what’s next for youth activism in Oakland.
Coverage this week out of EdSource shows that the lack of diverse teachers in California is still a major issue. “While nearly 3 out of 4 public school students are non-white, approximately two-thirds of our teachers are white. “Most troubling is the serious lack of Black male teachers, who only make up 1% of California’s teacher workforce.” This article details some of the barriers as to why we see a lack of Black male teachers in our schools such as continued problem of over incarceration/ under-education, lower subject matter proficiency rates, bias teacher credentialing and more.
Another article out of EdSource this week covers the lack of fully qualified teachers to keep up with educator demands. Areas of special education, math, science and bilingual education are especially in need. During the pandemic, the number of teacher candidates earning credentials has declined. Some school districts such as Los Angeles Unified are working to decrease the teacher shortage by guaranteeing signing bonuses and increasing substitute teacher pay. Other districts such as Twin Rivers Unified School District in Sacramento expect to hire 100 more teachers this year because of increased retention and a decrease in enrollment in recent years.
- See the latest open charter school seats for this week here!
Looking for something to do this week in Oakland? Check out the launch of The Vision Quilt this weekend!
The Vision Quilt “Art has the power to change minds” Amidst an Increase in Violence, Oakland Artists Beautify International Boulevard to Promote Peace.
This weekend, artists and activists will unveil a public art installation along International Boulevard (formerly East 14th Street). Starting June 26th, the Peace In The Streets Neighborhood Beautification Project will install 52 street pole banners featuring 100 unique images dedicated to beautifying East Oakland and uplifting the voices of community members impacted by gun violence.
- A ribbon cutting ceremony/press conference on Saturday, June 26 at 1:00 pm in front of East Oakland Youth Development Center (8200 International Blvd).
- A Community Event on Sunday, June 27 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm co-hosted by the Black Cultural Zone in Liberation Park located at 73rd Ave. and Foothill Blvd. The event will feature interactive community resources and family friendly art activities. Masks are required.