Grades 3–5: How have Indigenous peoples and cultures thrived in Oregon since time immemorial to today?
Resources from the Oregon Historical Society.
K-12 Tribal History Curriculum from the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde
Various resources created by the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde.
Teaching Resources for Diwali
Resources that highlight Diwali celebrations in many different countries.
Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators Restore, Revive, Refuel: Second Annual Wellness Event
Workshops from Learning for Justice
Learning for justice is holding multiple webinars on topics from Unpacking the Social Justice Standards, talking about difficult topics, and interrupting bias.
Cost: $15 per Webinar
OMSI Native American Community Science Night
Saturday, November 4 | 6-9pm
In collaboration with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and PPS Indian Education, join us for our second annual Native American Community Science Night!
This special event welcomes visitors of all ages for an evening of museum exploration, science demos, and cultural entertainment. All are welcome!
See and hear Indigenous star stories at Navajo Skies and Star Dreaming in the planetarium, learn about the Nez Perce Tribe's fight to protect wild salmon at Covenant of the Salmon People in the Empirical Theater, enjoy storytelling by Chenoa and Keith Egawa, music by Small Agency Drummers, and prayer and song by Chenoa Egawa.
Tickets include admission to our new exhibit Staying Alive: Defenses of the Animal Kingdom, our feature exhibit, Orcas: Our Shared Future, as well as access to Science Playground and the Teen Tech Center!
$10 for adults/ $8 for kids
Maestro runs in the family
“I felt my mom and dad’s energy pulsing through me,” says GYO participant Sherman Floyd, recalling the morning of his first official observation as a student teacher. On that day, a crucial one on his pathway to becoming a licensed teacher, Sherman took a moment to ground himself in his family and his purpose. His mother, Oregon Teacher of the Year, Rosa Floyd, had asked a parent in her school to make Sherman a beaded lanyard with the words “Mr. Floyd” woven into it. As Sherman sat outside of the high school’s English Language Development (ELD) department where he works as an instructional assistant, he put on the intricately beaded lanyard and focused on his family, his community, and his students. Needless to say, he crushed his observation!
Both Sherman’s father and mother are veteran educators, but becoming a teacher was not a clear pathway for him at first: “Going to school growing up, I never imagined myself being a teacher, because I saw my parents do it.” Instead, Sherman chose to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Portland State University (PSU). In retrospect, he notes how even as a communications major he was honing his teaching skills. “My freshman year at PSU I took an intro class and made a good impression on my professor, so he asked me to be his assistant. It was the first time I was put in charge of something, the first time I really was somewhat of a teacher… When you're 19 and have 30 year olds coming up to you and asking for help, it motivates you to continue wanting to work hard.”
Sherman attributes his commitment to learning and hard work ethic to his parents. He remembers coming home with Cs and being told that he could do better. “I always had that pressure. Well, it felt like pressure at the time, but now I would actually call it support.” After graduating from PSU, Sherman put his skills to work in the service industry and quickly moved up to become an assistant manager at a restaurant. And then COVID hit.
It was at that point that he reconnected with friend and GYO graduate, Alex Vu, who encouraged him to apply for an instructional assistant position at the high school. “It didn't take me long to realize that this is where I belong,” recalls Sherman after starting his new position. “Once I got in the classroom, it was really the students that made me change my life focus. It was the first time that I was going to work and realizing that I was making a difference in people's lives.” Not only did his students help him focus; they also motivated him to further his education. “It’s kind of funny, a lot of the students were like, are you a senior? What grade are you in? It helped me break the barrier of authority and get to know them as a friend first. Soon enough, it was the students telling me, you should become a teacher.”
And that is precisely what Sherman did. With the support of his family, his community, and the GYO program, Sherman will graduate with a Master’s of Art in Teaching (M.A.T.) from Warner Pacific in June 2024 and proudly join the next generation of maestros. ¡Si se puede!
If you are or you know a David Douglas student, family, or community member of color who is interested in pursuing a career in education, please contact Andreina Velasco (andreina_velasco@ddsd40.org), Grow Your Own Pathway Navigator.
In our district, there has been a lot of conversation around Words of Oppression with staff and the use of certain slurs. The 5th Grade Team at Gilbert Park realized that there was a need for direct instruction for students around this topic, so they created it. Kaylee O'Neil, Stephanie Slocum, and Katie Farlow worked together on these lessons so that they could have a class conversation with their students around Words of Oppression, how they affect others, and how they are not to be used in school.
O'Neil stated, " I noticed it added a whole level of seriousness to their actions," when depicting how the lesson when in her classroom. "My students responded great to it...I think they now understand what slurs are, how to identify when a slur is used, and that there is a zero tolerance for them," Slocum added. When asked about how it went in her classroom, Farlow explained, " [It] felt really authentic to talk about the metaphorical elephant in the room and my kids were super engaged with it."
The 5th grade team has graciously decided to share the lesson that they have created. This lesson is targeted for 5th grade and up. Although, as educators, you are the experts of your classroom communities. If you plan to use, please read the notes on slide 8. The video on that page is not to be show in its entirety.
Click on the photo for access to the lesson.
On October 13th, twenty three DDSD staff attended the 14th Annual Teaching with Purpose Conference which is a conferences that focuses on culturally responsive teaching and pedagogy. We had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions and hear keynote speakers including, Dr. Sandy Womack, Dr. Adrienne D. Dixon, and Angela Davis! It was a wonderful opportunity to attend. We're already looking forward to next year!
