Human Rights Education and Literacy Education

In two high schools, Zankel Fellows will implement Human Rights Education (HRE) curriculum developed by Zankel Fellows over the past five years, and also work to modify the curricula in discussion with the school and students to attend to current needs. The curriculum is focused on developing knowledge and action around human rights but also includes modules on socio-emotional learning (SEL) and literacy skills to fully access and exercise their rights. SEL and literacy education are closely intertwined with making human rights knowledge practical and applicable for newcomer students in NYC schools.

In a third middle school, the fellows will provide English language literacy support through an after-school program (3 days a week) for newcomer students who have arrived in recent months. For the recently arrived newcomer students in the middle school, Zankel Fellows will utilize an English-language curriculum that is trauma-informed and fits the needs of these newcomer students. Many of the students, particularly those from Venezuela, have had interrupted formal education of up to four years. Using ideas from Freire’s pedagogy and literacy approach, Zankel Fellows will teach English language and literacy through a lens of empowerment and human rights that recognizes education as an enabling right.