Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
More Than Monsters: The Deeper Significance of Wendigo Stories
The wendigo stories of Algonquian peoples offer a window into the endurance of cultural resources used to transmit significant moral values, and underscore the power of Native people using these stories to engage in social critique.
![Deer antlers cage a child, burying their face in their hands in fear.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Antlers_2021_poster.jpeg?h=aff6c105&itok=7m2YY2cJ)
Facing History & Ourselves Announces New Chair of the Board of Directors
Facing History & Ourselves announces that Jill Garling will succeed Julie Abrams Leff as Chair of the Board of Directors.
![Picture of Jill Garling.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/jill-garling_circle_645.png?h=19d72f36&itok=J_b5MO6q)
Facing History From Day One: An Interview with New Haven Academy
New Haven Academy is an innovative public high school that serves a diverse student population. In this interview, the school's founders discuss the vital role that Facing History has played in shaping their distinctive school culture, curriculum, and pedagogy.
![New Haven Academy school entrance.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/NewHavenAcademy.jpg?h=a47ca1c4&itok=h2iBPAYT)
A Note from Our New Jewish Education Program Director, Rabbi Yehudah Potok
New Jewish Education Program Director, Rabbi Yehudah Potok, introduces himself to the Facing History & Ourselves community, with his hopes of deepening relationships with, and providing timely professional development opportunities for our teachers and educators.
Essential Teacher Habits for Driving Educational Equity
Facing History colleagues share tips for creating more educationally equitable school communities.
![A male teacher of Asian descent instructs a group of students.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/male_asian_teacher_with_students_in_classroom.png?h=16ec4b77&itok=Qx3TcvgN)
A Message to Our Educators on Teaching History
Since its founding, Facing History has dedicated itself to teaching factual history—in all its complexity.
![Two female students work together at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Somerville_Massachusetts_Classroom_2017_%20FH256803.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=74WEpHMh)
LA Upstander: SAMEAN Voices
Each week, SAMEAN Voices consistently builds engaging and interactive curriculum, facilitating vulnerable and transformative dialogues for their peers. While SAMEAN Voices presents from an AMEMSA experience, they are open to all students and staff and their meetings have a high multiracial and multiethnic attendance.
![Picture of SAMEAN Board.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/SAMEAN%20Board%202020-2021.png?h=125a58ae&itok=HlD8tBHT)
LA Upstander: Hailey C.
Hailey has been a prominent voice in our weekly Upstander meetings regardless of the topic. She has advocated for us to support people experiencing homelessness through various means.
![Picture of Hailey C.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Hailey%20C..jpg?h=6f07e6cc&itok=r68hdYZl)
LA Upstander: Sanaia W.
Sanaia stands out because she has stood up as a leader and as a beacon of positivity in her grade level.
![A selfie of student Sanaia.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/SanaiaW.jpg?h=de2e6114&itok=zbWrESSA)
LA Upstander: Heydy V.
Heydy participated in a youth leadership workshop for I Learn America (ILA), a project that brings students together to tell their stories of migration.
![Picture of Heydy V.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Heydy.png?h=260cdf12&itok=dKNsskdj)
LA Upstander: Itzel J.
Itzel J. is someone who has learned how to advocate for her needs, support her classmates through their own struggles by offering advice, all while having such a positive attitude at our school.
![Picture of Itzel J.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Itzel%20J..jpeg?h=211c8216&itok=nbSmcs0_)