Language Arts and Social Studies as Soul Sisters: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Engaging Students in Critical Conversations

Recognizing that many New Jersey teachers are hesitant to discuss issues of social justice and current events occurring in many communities, this 90-minute session will discuss and practice how to use specific resources to guide and engage students in conversations about marginalization and discrimination. Using Bloom’s Taxonomy as a guide and situating topics that involve New Jersey young people, ELA and SS teachers can use interdisciplinary literacy skills and non-fiction texts to develop students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively discuss and analyze social injustice through an equity lens.

Resource:
Respect, our diversity newsletter (for grades 6 and up). https://njsbf.org/publications

Facilitator:
LaChan V. Hannon PhD @lvhannonphd is the Director of Teacher Preparation & Innovation and an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Urban Education at Rutgers University-Newark. LaChan received her Ph.D. in teacher education and teacher development with a focus on parent engagement and culturally responsive school practices. Her scholarly work investigates the intersectionality of race, disability, and parent involvement as they relate to the professional development for school leaders and educators. Her research and teaching interests include culturally responsive school/parent partnerships, teacher self-study, and teaching for social justice. Her TEDx Talk titled Young, Gifted & Black with Autism was released in 2016. LaChan has published articles and chapters in academic texts including: International Handbook of Self-Study of Teaching and Teacher Education Practices, Contemporary Justice Review, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, and Self-Studies in Urban Teacher Education.

LaChan spent 15 years teaching grades from preschool disabled through high school English.

Currently, LaChan presents at both local and national conferences on topics of autism education, culturally responsive school practices, and educational leadership. LaChan and her husband Dr. Michael D. Hannon co-founded the 501c3 non-profit organization Greater Expectations Teaching and Advocacy Center Inc (GETAC) to support families with children with developmental differences in addition to education professionals through parent workshops, professional development, and advocacy support. LaChan is an advocate for equitable access to quality education, a supporter of teacher learning, and a believer that schools improve when they intentionally engage families and communities in the education of their children.

LaChan.Hannon@rutgers.edu
IG: @lvhannonphd
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lachanvhannonphd
Twitter: LaChanHannon
www.getac.org