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.
May Assemblies
Download our assembly PowerPoints for the month of March for use with KS3-4 and S1-4 students.
![Pride flag at a pride parade.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-06/toni-reed-QNDe8pKvpbM-unsplash.jpg?h=4656bb00&itok=HdDGT1qf)
Poetry and Identity
Bringing poetry into the classroom introduces a model for creative expression and self-reflection that can help students find their voice.
![Poetry Graffiti](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/Poetry_Graffiti_StockPhoto_FH2190020.jpg?h=1021c639&itok=68mmYNfa)
Why Our Work Together Matters
A Message from Facing History’s New President and CEO Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD
![Student pays attention in classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-04/Student_DemocracyInAction_2022_FH2185450.jpg?h=031ec227&itok=WCW47qO-)
Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD Joins Facing History & Ourselves as New President and CEO
Veteran educator Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD brings expertise and commitment to supporting teachers and empowering young people.
![President and CEO of Facing History & Ourselves](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-04/Desmond%20Blackburn0734%20-%20Ready-WEB.jpg?h=a1e1a043&itok=hyWQudeX)
Hearty Congratulations and Thank You to Departing CEO, Roger Brooks
After a successful tenure Roger Brooks retires from Facing History & Ourselves on April 9, 2023. We celebrate all he has accomplished with gratitude.
![Roger Brooks at San Francisco Benefit Dinner](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-04/Roger_Brooks_San_Francisco_Benefit_Dinner_2018_FH270313.jpg?h=4997dc06&itok=qH25viDl)
In Memoriam: Margot Stern Strom’s Lasting Legacy
On March 28, 2023, Facing History’s founder passed away at the age of 81. Her vision and work continues to impact students and teachers around the world.
![Margot Stern Strom, Facing History's Founder, sits with one hand on her face looking away from the camera.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/MargotSternStrom_FH110347.jpg?h=416b1678&itok=eCko_Shx)
Celebrating Our Communities, Languages and Cultures on World Poetry Day (UK)
On World Poetry Day we are highlighting UK poets who use poetry to represent their communities, promote their cultures and respond to current events.
![A close up of a student writing on a piece of paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/LosAngeles_ClassroomImage_2012_FH116207.jpg?h=9a556404&itok=SXiHI4Fc)
Standing up for Disability Rights: A Day of Reflection & Action
In honor of disability awareness & disability rights activist Judy Heumann, Facing History is hosting a day of reflection & action on March 30, 2023.
![Graphic of US Flag and Multi-Colored Figures Including the Disability Access Symbol](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/US_Flag_And_Multi_Colored_Figures_Including_The_Disability_Access_Symbol_Graphic_FH2189035.png?h=e9403ca4&itok=gBPt-Bez)
The Long Journey to Establish a Women’s History Museum
As the National Women's History Museum launches its first physical exhibit, we consider what it means to make space for underrepresented stories.
![Graphic of multi-ethnic women](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/Multi_Ethnic_Women_Stock_FH2187287.jpg?h=0cd817c1&itok=LNEwyccZ)
Malala Yousafzai Meets with Facing History Students
We were honored to host a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “Stranger at the Gate” with a special Q&A with executive producer, Malala.
How One Lesbian Couple Defied the Nazis: An Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Jackson
Meet Lucy Schwob and Suzanne Malherbe (better known as Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore), a French lesbian couple who defied the Nazis with art.
![Dr. Jeffrey Jackson and his book, Paper Bullets: Two Artists Who Risked Their Lives to Defy the Nazis.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/image%20%282%29.jpg?h=1bdf24e3&itok=7Enx4K9t)