What is this fellowship they keep mentioning?
Our fellowship is a partnership with educators from across the state. These fellows will create educational content, attend informative convening sessions in person, attend the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies Conference, participate in professional development for Martin Luther King Jr Day, and attend virtual educational sessions with Best Selling Author Jermaine Fowler. So far, fellows have received several books to teach them about Black History, as well as several books that they can provide to students and incorporate directly into their curricula. They have done in person sessions with Chaka Cummings, Dr. David Childs, and Dr. Eric Jackson. They have completed two virtual sessions with Jermaine Fowler, over his book the Humanity Archive. Overall, they will be boosting their knowledge on Black Kentucky History, and applying those skills to their educational spaces.
Why the fellowship?
As a former educator, I recognize that it can be difficult for teachers to incorporate Black Kentucky History into their curriculum because they simply lack the content and pedagogical knowledge. Some of this comes from lack of emphasis on Black History in teacher preparation programs. As a history educator I wanted desperately to make my students feel seen and represented in their curriculum, but I didn’t know where to start. This fellowship program wants to help give teachers those tools that they need and rectify that difficulty, so that they may highlight Black historical experiences for their students.
What is next for the ATBHK Fellowship?
In the future, the fellows will continue to attend virtual and in person professional development sessions to strengthen their knowledge about teaching black history. They will continue to receive resources and create content that reflects the cause. The hope we have as an association is to equip educators from various backgrounds to teach Black History in their curriculum, and to provide them with resources that will support them on their journey to learn more about Black Kentucky History so that they may share that information with their colleagues. We look forward to seeing the fruits of this fellowship as many of our fellows are beginning their school year!