As I reflect on the past year, I am awestruck with the kindness and generosity that my colleagues in the Dysart Unified School District have shown me. The last few years of my personal life have been very challenging. My husband was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 40, and had to leave his job. This left me, a school teacher, as the sole breadwinner for our family. I was holding it together financially, but it was tough.
Social media resources
National Women’s History Museum
Use this Instagram account to gather bite-sized information to share with students. You’ll find amazing primary sources and interesting historical anecdotes that are easy to digest, yet meaningful. Social media options like this one also show students that they can follow educational content across all platforms.
Women of History
Created by a graduate student in 2015, this Instagram account contains stories of historical women that students may not have read about in class. Learning about lesser-known historical figures can help your students understand that everyday acts of heroism and kindness can have far-reaching effects well into the future.
Web resources
Deadfeminists.com
The Dead Feminists series combines original art and quotes by historical feminists, connecting them to current political and social issues. While the site offers art prints for sale, you and your students can also learn a lot from the free blog content.
Nevertheless Podcast
This podcast celebrates women who are “transforming teaching and learning through technology.” Browse through two seasons’ worth of episodes, including transcripts, extended reading, and quotes. And consider listening to Episode 4 during Women’s History Month, as it features inspiring and resilient women.
Print resources
Nevertheless STEM Role Model Posters
Display these free downloadable posters in your classroom, and use them in tandem with this podcast episode that explores why young learners need STEM role models from all walks of life.
200 Women: Who Will Change the Way You See the World
In this book by Ruth Hobday, 200 inspirational women were asked five questions:
What really matters to you?
What brings you happiness?
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
What would you change if you could?
Which single word do you most identify with?
These are great questions to use in classroom discussions, too. You could even ask students to answer them from the perspective of historical figures.
Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History
Using whimsical illustrations and an engaging writing style, Sam Maggs tells the stories of women who have broken barriers. It also sets the stage for a future research project by introducing students to a variety of historical figures, at least one of which is likely to resonate with each student.
Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History
This New York Times bestseller by Kate Schatz uses powerful illustrations and quirky content to bring women’s history to life. It’s the kind of book that you might recommend to students (especially girls) as a free reading option, but you can also use it to teach minilessons during Women’s History Month.
