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.
LA Upstander: Senior Memory Committee
This year, Esperanza College Prep graduates its first ever senior class! The Senior Memory Committee — Evi A., Gianella C., Esbeydi G., Brianna C., Mail G., Allison C., Maria G. —stepped up to plan, coordinate, and execute activities to mark this historical graduation.
![Esperanza College Prep logo](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Esperaza_circle_0.png?h=ba8f2301&itok=4AsjrgwW)
LA Upstander: Ms. Jessica Guillaume
Ms. Guillaume has been an Upstander in the Valor Academy High School school community by volunteering to lead in-person small groups this Spring 2020.
![Picture of Jessica G.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Jessica%20G..png?h=7f087d37&itok=I658Pxrw)
LA Upstander: Abraham F.
Throughout distance learning, Abraham has sought to make learning more accessible to his peers. He has taken it upon himself to organize study groups, focusing on students who he knows are struggling and looking for additional support.
![School picture of Abraham F.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Abraham%20F..jpeg?h=bf372811&itok=YKxmkwhK)
LA Upstander: SJLAM Teen Court
The SJLAM Teen Court Club participated in three court cases this year via Zoom. The impact on the defendant is sometimes quite evident at the trial itself. The impact on the families involved will be apparent over time. There is also impact for the Teen Court jurors - helping someone get on the right path is a feeling that is immeasurable.
![SJLAM Teen Court Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/SJLAM%20Teen%20Court%20Logo.png?h=1c1cadef&itok=xVOij1-x)
LA Upstander: Mr. Joseph Richards
As the African American Student Achievement (AASA) Lead Teacher, Mr. Richards. has founded numerous AASA support groups, events, interventions and celebrations for African American students this year.
![Picture of Mr. Joseph Richards.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Joseph%20R..jpg?h=3b255eac&itok=93RVP_3P)
Young Poll Workers as Upstanders
Learn about organizations run by young upstanders who advocate for young poll worker participation.
![Ballot submission.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Ballot_Submission.jpeg?h=64bf5bba&itok=gQHEAEFF)
Disrupting Patriarchy in the Classroom with Carol Gilligan
Glean insights from Facing History Board of Scholars member Carol Gilligan’s groundbreaking work on gender to disrupt patriarchy in the classroom.
![Black and white image of Carol Gilligan Speaking At Podium](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-07/Box1_100.jpg?h=58dd4d8c&itok=9K5vEq0m)
6 Classroom Design Tips for Teachers
These classroom design strategies will help you set up your classroom to positively impact student behavior and deepen learning.
![A birds eye view of a classroom filled with students in conversation.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/2018_classroomimage_FH287366.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=Vq5Ksw0d)
Red Scarf Girl Today: An Interview with Ji-li Jiang
Red Scarf Girl author Ji-li Jiang illuminates a number of key lessons that American educators and citizens can glean from the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
![A drawing of young children in China holding little red books in the air.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/RedScarfGirl_preview.png?h=52abab5c&itok=GXuIUI83)
The Reichstag Fire: The Shift from Democracy to Dictatorship
Germany's Reichstag Fire is seen as a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy.
![Germans look on as the Reichstag building burns on February 27, 1933.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1933_ReichstagFire_%20FH229429.jpg?h=40d6a7d7&itok=PBcAxqXk)
How to Be an Upstander: Acting against Indifference
A student describes the impact of her “Dangers of Indifference” course on her worldview and how it connects with the tenets of her faith.
![A close up of a marble statue with hands clasped together.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Against_indifference_1440x560.jpeg?h=b1512c13&itok=ZU2fAuwn)