2018–2021
The L.E.T.S. A.C.T. Framework
A framework for teaching contemporary political issues with children, shared through an article in Social Education, conference workshops, and invited lectures.
Curriculum & professional projects
Curriculum & Projects
Frameworks, professional learning, and service to the field, from teacher groups in St. Louis and Chicago to national organizations.
The P.O.W.E.R. Framework is a curriculum design framework that grew out of my doctoral research and twelve years of classroom practice. It translates dense theory into a usable design structure for social studies instruction that is critically grounded, sequence-sensitive, emotionally balanced, and transferable across topics, identities, and grade levels. The full framework, the OPALIS Handbook, and curriculum built with P.O.W.E.R. live at OPALIS Curriculum House.
Frameworks and professional learning
2021–2023
Critical Inquiry Template
A tool for scaffolding preservice and practicing teachers to think with critical theory as they plan inquiry units, developed and studied with M. Adu-Gyamfi and presented at CUFA/NCSS (2021, 2023) and AERA (2022).
2018–2019
Systems Thinking for Educational Equity Partnership (STEEP)
Co-founder and co-chair of a partnership among Educators for Social Justice, the Washington University in St. Louis Social Systems Design Lab, and SkipNV. Created and facilitated a three-day professional development series for 60 K–12 teachers and administrators in July 2018.
2012–2014
Social Justice Curriculum Model
A year-long, social justice-oriented ELA and social studies curriculum built around critical literacy, systems thinking, and student-curated museum exhibits.
2017
Social Studies at Coonley Elementary
Interviewed every social studies teacher at John C. Coonley Elementary in Chicago and presented school-wide findings and recommendations for future social studies curriculum and instruction.
2019–2022
Elementary Social Studies Methods Redesign
Redesigned the University of Missouri’s elementary social studies methods course to be coherent, practical, and equity-oriented.
Service
Leadership & service to the field
2019–2020
Graduate Forum Chair, College and University Faculty Assembly of NCSS (CUFA/NCSS)
2018–2019
Graduate Forum Vice Chair, CUFA/NCSS
2019–2022
Vice President, Missouri University Graduate Social Studies Student Organization (MUGSS)
2017–2022
Proposal reviewer, CUFA/NCSS
2018
Graduate student reviewer, Theory & Research in Social Education
Ongoing
Reviewer, Social Studies and the Young Learner (NCSS)
2017–2018
Director of Communications, Educators for Social Justice
2011–2014
Conference Chair, Educators for Social Justice
2005–2020
Leadership team and member, Educators for Social Justice
2014–2017
Founder and Chair, Teachers for Social Justice Book Club, Chicago
2010–2013
Co-founder and Co-chair, Social Studies for Social Justice Teacher Group, St. Louis
2012–2014
6th Grade Team Leader, Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary
2010–2012
Sustainability Chair, Ritenour School District