Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice

The Teach-Ins

The Teach-Ins are inspired by Brown's Slavery & Justice Report's recommendation to “use the resources of the University to help ensure a quality education for the children of Rhode Island.” This FREE two-part series is an opportunity for local K–12 educators to learn the history of Black and Indigenous people in New England while creating and modifying lessons on the subject to bring back to their classrooms.

Breadcrumb

The Teach-Ins

The Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice was founded in 2012, inspired by the recommendations of the Slavery and Justice Report. That same report encouraged Brown University to play a role in helping to “ensure a quality education for the children of Rhode Island”—including through professional development for teachers. We’ve taken that call to heart. We understand that supporting students within our community means supporting the educators in their lives. This means not only supporting classroom teachers, but also youth-based organizations, instructors, and mentors. This FREE two-part series is an opportunity for local K–12 educators to learn the history of Black and Indigenous people in New England while creating and modifying lessons on the subject to bring back to their classrooms.

This is a FREE series of two-part workshops offered about once per year at Brown University in Providence, RI. It is an opportunity for local K–12 educators to learn the history of Black and Indigenous folks in New England while creating and modifying lessons on the subject to bring back to their classrooms. Breakfast & Lunch is be provided. Sessions are held at The Rockefeller Library (10 Prospect Street, Providence, RI 02906) from 9am to 3pm.

Educators from the Teach-In leaning into the conversation with our visiting scholars — Educators from the Teach-In, leaning into the conversation with our visiting scholars. Photo by Liz Sepulveda.

A peek into what’s going on at the Teach-In. Photo by Kiku Langford McDonald.

Goals of our Professional Development

Sharing Updated Scholarship on History

Our workshops focus on content knowledge, with a strong emphasis on Black and Indigenous perspectives of the past. We know educators already bring their pedagogical expertise to the table, but historical scholarship is constantly evolving, and education policy shifts right alongside it. It’s tough for any educator to keep up with all the new research and the changes it brings to what and how we teach. That’s where we come in: we’re here to help educators stay current with the latest scholarship and shifting narratives.

Educator Resources

Are you an Educator looking for resources, curriculum, professional development, or a community of educators? Then, this is the page for you. Learn about opportunities to hear from scholars, community members, and other educators while also finding a space to create workshops, lessons, and events.

Connecting Educators with Scholars and Experts

At our Teach-Ins, educators have the opportunity to learn directly from scholars and experts on a wide range of topics, including the Thanksgiving myth, maritime history, the American Revolution, and more. These sessions include panels, lectures, Q&A Sessions, and open conversations, creating a space for rich dialogue and deeper understanding.

Past Teach-Ins

Reimagining New England Histories K–12 Curriculum

Beyond the Feast: Reinterpreting the Wampanoag-Plymouth Agreement | Saturday, February 8, 2025
Wading in the Waters: Black & Indigenous Voices of the Maritime Age | Saturday, March 8, 2025

What to me is the American Revolution?

As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the idea for the spring 2026 series was inspired by Frederick Douglass's famous speech, "What to the slave is the 4th of July?" Each workshop focuses on a different theme:

An Examination of the Founding Documents | Saturday, March 7, 2026
Art, Architecture, and Monuments | Saturday, April 18, 2026

The spring 2026 Teach-Ins were co-sponsored by the Simmons Center, the Brown University Library, the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America, and Brown 2026.

August 2026

The Haitian Revolution | Monday, August 10, 2026
Indigenous Governments in New England | Monday, August 17, 2026

The August 2026 Teach-Ins were co-sponsored by the Simmons Center, the Brown University Library, and the Pembroke Center.

September 1, 2026 News from the Simmons Center

August 2026 Teach-Ins: The Haitian Revolution & Indigenous Governments in New England

Kevin Dawson presenting during a Teach-In — Kevin Dawson presents his research from his book, "The Undercurrents of Power: Aquatic Culture in the African Diaspora." Photo by Kiku Langford McDonald.

Akeia de Barros Gomes, stands in front of a presentation screen while speaking with educators — Akeia de Barros Gomes, the Director of the Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House in Newport, RI, asks Educators "what is our maritime story and how do we want to tell it?" while also challenging us to reposition our understanding of maritime. Photo by Kiku Langford McDonald.

Kevin Dawson with the Educators — Kevin Dawson moving from the floor to the table as he dives into discussion with the educators. Photo by Kiku Langford McDonald.

Steven Peters, Loren Spears, Reina Thomas, and Bradford Lopes — Steven Peters, Loren Spears, and Bradford Lopes join Reina Thomas in a panel discussion around the Thanksgiving Myth and what educators should consider as they dive into this history and seek to integrate Indigenous histories into their curriculum. Photo by Liz Sepulveda.

Building a Network

We aim to connect educators with the Simmons Center and with each other. Our goal is to build bridges across the many sectors where educators work. Too often, we find ourselves creating programs, events, or curricula in isolation. However, we all benefit from having thought partners—people to share ideas with, receive feedback from, and possibly even collaborate with. We're working to create that space for connection.

Educators Speak — Mansur Buffins reflects on the presentations of our guest speakers with Kevin Dawson and Walter Harper. Photos by Kiku Langford McDonald.

Multigenerational Educators — Zoe Kuptz, Emma York, and Abigail Jefferson analyze and examine primary and secondary sources provided by our guest speakers as they think through the question "how might this information be used in their own work?"

Mack and Oliver — Professor Mack Scott of the Simmons Center and NAISI converses with Oliver O’Neill, an MAT alum ’25 at the Teach-In.

Abigail and Sally Davidson — Abigail Jefferson and Sally Davidson engaged in deep conversation.

Walter Harper shares his thoughts alongside Abigail Jefferson and Vanessa Flores-Maldonado.

Teachers in Discussion — Francie Latour and Zoe Kupetz share their first or most memorable moment involving water with one another as the opening exercise of the day.

Create and Share

As knowledge is gathered and relationships grow, it’s vital that our Teach-Ins also serve as a space for educators to create. We want to offer opportunities for educators to put what they’ve learned into action—whether that means drafting lesson plans, units, syllabi, activities, programs, workshops, professional development sessions, or events. And we don’t want those ideas to stay on the page. We’re committed to finding ways to support educators as they move their work from vision to reality.