Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in the Classroom

Listen to AAPIs

There’s lots of advice online about how to be a good ally, but don’t forget to consult your AAPI colleagues, if they have the capacity to share, to get their take on how to incorporate AAPI points of view in the classroom. “I was recently asked to provide comments to the school paper about the increase in anti-AAPI racism during the pandemic,” says Ben. “I gladly accepted the opportunity and hope my words can inspire my students to not hold anguish in silence.”

Getting in touch with AAPI community organizations in your area and asking how you can support them would also be a great way for you and your students to better understand your local AAPI community, the issues they face and the unique culture they celebrate.

At Math, Engineering and Science Charter Academy (MESA) in Brooklyn, New York, Assistant Principal Princess Francois (NY ’19) has taken a multi-pronged approach to hear and support AAPI students and staff. “It has been a work in progress, starting two years before the recent rise in crimes,” says Princess. “A student survey revealed that our AAPI students, who make up the smallest demographic in our school, feel unseen.” As a result, starting in May 2019, the school has celebrated AAPI Heritage Month, as well as National Indigenous Month, Latinx Heritage Month and Black History Month. Last year, the school curated an extensive list of AAPI trailblazers for teachers to incorporate into their classrooms.