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If you are just beginning your journey with Facing History, these resources will provide you with an introduction to key concepts, strategies, and tools to incorporate our pedagogy into your practice.
“It completely changed the lens through which I teach.”
![Facing History educator Sandra Derstein-Desai leads class.](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_2060.jpg)
“It completely changed the lens through which I teach.”
Sandra Derstine-Desai, Teacher, Tech Boston Academy High School, on a Facing History professional development session.
Start with Yourself
Facing History classrooms are built on a foundation of supportive relationships between educators and their students and within the classroom community as a whole.
Building the trust needed to establish a successful learning community begins with an educator’s own curiosity and self-reflection. Becoming aware of one’s beliefs, values, biases, politics, and emotional responses, empowers educators to be thoughtful about how these forces and factors influence their interactions with and expectations of their students.
Lay the Foundation
John Amaechi Discusses the Importance of Being Present
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_417.jpg)
Curriculum Planning Begins with Self-Reflection
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1391.jpg)
Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
![Student art on the topic of "we choose"](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/we_chose_ctp_344330005_o.jpg?h=c6d0d1c4&itok=r8HMDWBE)
Create an Equitable Learning Environment
Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
On-Demand
![A mouth with 'This Teenage Life' written inside](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/this_teenage_life_logo.jpeg?h=f405c703&itok=WCcYN1E7)
Back to School: Building Community for Connection and Learning
![Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/LA_ClassroomImage_2018_FH287148.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=lbbZPe6H)
Co-design Your Classroom with Your Students
![Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_LA_FH287162.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=ipY6dvE3)
Build your Teaching Practice
Effective Teaching Strategies
On-Demand
![Students talking in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/FHAO_2019_Summit_071_for_Web_or_Office_Use.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=dbTbUSj-)
Contracting
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1474.jpg)
Supporting a Culture of Inquiry in Your Classroom
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_2065.jpg)
Educators who bring Facing History into their classrooms see outcomes far beyond when the lesson ends.
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