2022 Virtual Conference: Free Webinars on Current Events, History and Media Literacy

March 21 at 6 p.m. EDT | PreK-12
AFT President Randi Weingarten|
Join this special welcome session for an important update on the state of public education and help us kick off the Virtual Conference 2022. It’s also the last day to enter the self-care giveaway.

March 22 at 1 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
UNLADYLIKE2020
The documentary series UNLADYLIKE2020 presents the stories of women history makers in an innovative and captivating way utilizing animation, fast-paced editing and contemporary music, dramatizing how women have been active agents in history. In this webinar, we will introduce the series, talk about the benefit of the multimedia experience for learning, and screen a short film about Queen Lili’uokalani, the first and last sovereign queen of Hawaii. We will also discuss the supporting classroom resources that are aligned to history standards and available in English and Spanish.

March 22 at 2 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
NewsGuard
In an era rife with misinformation, a student's best protection is a strong set of media literacy skills. In this interactive session, NewsGuard, a company that fights misinformation by rating news sources, will discuss the tactics and trends employed by those who spread misinformation. Attendees will learn practical strategies to equip their students with the skills to spot misinformation and evaluate the credibility of online content. Together, we can help students become savvy consumers of news—a skill that will serve them for a lifetime.

March 22 at 4 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
iCivics and the Council on Foreign Relations
Global tensions are rising in Europe, climate change threatens dire consequences, and the COVID-19 pandemic is entering its third year. There is perhaps no more important time for students to build an understanding of our interconnected world and how policy decisions made in the U.S. affect other countries. Teaching global civics right now will equip your students to consider: What is the United States’ role in the world? Why does the world matter? How can leaders balance U.S. needs with those of other countries? How are global civics related to domestic civics? Join iCivics and the Council on Foreign Relations for a panel discussion that will engage teachers and experts on foreign policy to answer these questions and talk about how students are using a new digital game to learn about U.S. foreign policy.

March 22 at 5 p.m. EDT | K-12
Immigrant Learning Center
Thousands of Afghan and other refugees are being resettled across the U.S. Join the Immigrant Learning Center in this session to learn how to elevate refugee students’ experiences and gain strategies for using graphic novels as teaching tools in the classroom. Using a graphic novel about a family of Syrian refugees, we will model a culturally responsive, trauma-informed approach to storytelling that centers on students’ experiences.

March 23 at 6 p.m. EDT | PreK-12
AFT members Abbey Clements, Sarah Lerner and Sari Beth Rosenberg
Gun violence affects educators, students, families, classrooms, districts and communities all across the country, every single day. After the Oxford High School shooting in Michigan on Nov. 30, 2021, three AFT members—Abbey Clements, Sarah Lerner and Sari Beth Rosenberg—were trying to process the horror of yet another horrendous tragedy in a group text. Outraged with the frequency and acceptance of gun violence in all its forms, they decided to launch a national organization, Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, whose mission is to elevate the stories we don’t hear about—the ripple effects and aftermath; to support school communities impacted by gun violence; and to raise our collective voices, as those on the frontlines of this public health crisis, for cultural and legislative change. Learn about their journey and how you can get involved.
 

March 22 at 7 p.m. | PreK-12
PBS LearningMedia
In these ever changing times, we need to keep students consistently engaged. Join the PBS LearningMedia team for fun, unique ways to use media to keep your students engaged and learning. You will walk away with (hopefully) a couple laughs, lots of free educator-approved resources and a better understanding of how you can use PBSLM in your classroom.

March 22 at 8 p.m. EDT | Grades 9-12
USC Shoah Foundation
In 2008, British filmmaker Luke Holland began interviewing Germans and Austrians who were former members of the Nazi Party and the SS. More than 10 years later, he created the documentary film Final Account, composed of a selection from the more than 250 interviews he had conducted. In partnership with Focus Features and Participant, the USC Shoah Foundation incorporated clips of the film into its IWitness educational platform to create a landmark use of perpetrator interviews for educators and students worldwide. Especially as heightened antisemitism and outright denial of facts concerning the Holocaust become more commonplace, this program opens up classrooms to new, vital questions about complicity, propaganda and responsibility. This session will include a short clip from the film as well as an overview of the free resources available to educators.

March 23 at 3 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
PBS NewsHour Classroom
Join PBS NewsHour Classroom to discuss how to use primary sources and how to analyze primary sources from its website Journalism in Action. The site provides students with an inquiry-based examination of the history of journalism in the U.S. and explores the role of the First Amendment and freedom of the press in America. Through various creative and fun interactive tools, students will learn how real people fought for social justice and how the news media covered their stories. 

March 23 at 7 p.m. EDT | Grades 3-5
Gale Sookdeo and Lashawn D. Jefferies
Join the UFT Teacher Center to learn about instructional approaches designed to introduce civics to grades 3-5. Attendees will learn about using music and cartoons to engage and deepen students’ understanding of basic terms or concepts in civics education.

March 24 at 1 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
Close Up Foundation
Traditionally, informed debate has been the way that students are asked to unpack controversial issues and apply their argumentative skills. However, as an adversarial process, does debate actually cement or even worsen partisanship and disagreement? Join the Close Up Foundation for insightful information on how, based on 50 years of instructional practice and data-driven techniques, structured deliberation and a consensus-based approach may be the better answer for educators and administrators aiming to address the pressing issues of modern life without amplifying partisan divides and potential repercussions.
 

March 24 at 2 p.m. EDT | K-12
ADL
Picture books can play a powerful role in children’s lives. The images and words convey a compelling story and message that have the potential to leave lasting impressions. In recent years, there’s been an explosion of children’s books about identity, diversity and social justice. Join ADL for an engaging webinar on how books can be used to kick off a social studies unit, provide the groundwork for both historical and literary analysis, build empathy and identify questions for further research

March 24 at 3 p.m. EDT | K-12
Common Sense Education
How do you teach your kids to stand up for their beliefs, but keep their actions civil? Students will have strong views about banned books, but it is up to educators and parents to guide these conversations. This session demonstrates the thinking routines and media literacy skills used to debate controversial issues. Learn how to encourage critical thinkers who engage with civility.
 

March 24 at 4 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
National Constitution Center
Join us to explore the complex history of the Reconstruction era and evaluate how the story has been told. This session will also examine the benefits of and methods behind using storytelling to establish the historical foundations necessary to understand the 14th Amendment. Participants will gain insight into storytelling choices so they can present complex history that fosters discussion.
 

March 24 at 5 p.m. EDT | PreK-12
Jahana Hayes
Today’s political climate has become yet another barrier to teachers doing their jobs. Despite Americans overwhelmingly opposing book bans and supporting honest history being taught in public schools, some states are working to ban books and limit what is taught. Teachers are being scared into silence, and students are watching as they and their communities are being ignored. Featuring U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes; CEO of PEN America, Suzanne Nossel; Organizing Director of Red Wine & Blue, Julie Womack; and facilitated by AFT Secretary-Treasurer, Fedrick Ingram, this session will be an open discussion on the importance of teaching honest history and affirming students’ identities, and how to teach honestly in such polarized times.

March 24 at 6 p.m. EDT | Grades 6-12
Journeys in Film
Join Journeys in Film for this exciting panel discussion about teaching the critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated documentary Summer of Soul (.. .Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Summer of Soul is a powerful, transporting film about the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 featuring performances by Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.