Interdisciplinary Unit on COVID 19, Critical Race Theory, and Afrofuturism

By David Shields (Science) and Jennifer Velasquez (English), Summer 2020

GRADE LEVEL: 9th Grade

OUR END GOAL: Students will learn the direct relationship between COVID-19 and the underlying conditions that heighten the dangers of the virus for their communities. Students will use that information and blend it with their knowledge of Afrofuturism to create a short futuristic story in which COVID-19 no longer exists in their communities.

Click here to read more about David and Jennifer’s co-designed lesson plan.

David Shields, gyo graduate 2021

In 2004 when I was hired by Chicago Public Schools as a Special Education Assistant, I chose to teach because of the figurative sparks educators see from young scholars when they "get it". To be fortunate enough to guide, teach and laugh with students is priceless. Now in 2021, I have refined my pedagogy to explicitly teach Black and Brown students. There was a time in my life where my community and culture were deemed to have no value. I was made to believe there was no value on the west side of Chicago. I now choose to teach to bring my skills and resources to where I come. I choose to teach to change the negative narrative that "black men do not teach" and to bring value to the already valuable west side of Chicago.

jennifer valazquez, gyo graduate 2020

I was born in Chicago and worked as a youth organizer for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association on issues of gentrification, immigration, and education before coming to GYO. I graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education English from NEIU. I am in my first-year of teaching at a CPS High School where I teach both Senior level English and a Film Studies course. I hope to continue to build curriculum that centers the experiences of my students.