How a Veteran Social Studies Teacher is Approaching Her Instruction This School Year

When we last featured Ms. Jamie Perry in the fall of 2020, students were learning about the presidential election from their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, students have returned to the classroom since then, and another presidential election is now behind us! Ms. Perry, now in her 20th year at Stone, continues to develop impactful strategies for making sure her classroom is a space where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to share their ideas. 

A great example of her proactive approach to improving her practice has been a microcredential she recently earned in partnership with the University of Buffalo on teaching Black history. For a full year, she met online with 15 other educators from around the country. This experience culminated in a conference at the university that included a panel and poster sessions. Her poster focused on teaching Black history through art. 

This microcredential centered on an approach to teaching Black history created by Dr. LaGarrett King. It focuses on eight principles, such as Black identities, Africa and the African diaspora, and agency, resistance and justice. This teaching framework helps to ensure that Black history is taught with the humanity of Black people at the forefront. 

These efforts were very timely for the 2024 election, given that a Black woman was running for president. Ms. Perry coordinated a mock election for her students, hoping it would serve as a celebration of democracy. Students worked incredibly hard on determining their party’s platforms and designing campaign posters. Some students said it was the most fun they’ve had at school in a very long time. The students who “won” the election presented platforms to change certain things about the school through Stone’s Student Advisory Council, and Ms. Perry notes that some actual changes were made because of this work! 

Now, in the post-election landscape, Ms. Perry is striving to make sure that students continue to be able to express how they feel about the current climate. One way they can do this is by writing letters to their local elected officials. She encourages her students to share their opinions on the issues they care about, highlighting how democracy can play a key role in improving our society.

She often thinks about something a colleague of hers told her years ago: “It is such a privilege to be a part of a person’s childhood.” This quote epitomizes her deep passion for showing her students that she cares by creating a strong sense of community in her classroom. 

“Beautiful things are happening all the time in our world, and a goal of mine is to recognize them. For my students, I want them to have their eyes open to the world around them and embrace their curiosity,” she said. “I want them to love history and know that their voices matter. I know that I will support their curiosity in whatever ways it shows up.”