Popular Education for Social Justice (3-part series)

Dates: April 9, 16, & 30, 2021 (must attend all 3 sessions)

Time: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm

Description: Popular Education is an approach to adult and community education that centers students’ lived experiences by building curriculum and instruction around critical issues in their communities, and by engaging students in projects to address these issues. This 3-part training series will engage teachers/staff to learn about popular education theory and practice; explore techniques for identifying and analyzing community issues; generate instructional activities that develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and engage students around questions of economic and social justice; examine examples of popular education lessons/units; and develop a framework for designing projects with our classes.

Facilitators: Sierra Stoneman-Bell and Ira Yankwitt

Audience: ABE, HSE, ESOL teachers, program staff in adult literacy programs and social and economic justice organizations

Register once for all 3 sessions by March 19.

To Join: Once you register, you will receive an email with the link to join the sessions via Zoom.

Note: You will receive an email with assignments to be completed before the first session.

Contact: Sierra Stoneman-Bell, sierrasb@lacnyc.org

Facilitator Bios

Sierra Stoneman-Bell is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she leads the Literacy & Justice Initiative to advance adult literacy education as part of a broader vision for racial, social, and economic justice. Sierra joined the LAC in 2016 to lead the Investing in Quality project, bringing her experience in education, youth development, workforce connections, and community organizing and advocacy. Before this, Sierra directed the adult education and workforce programs at Make the Road New York as part of a larger strategy to build the power of working class and immigrant communities. She has also led advocacy campaigns for public investment in adult education and youth services and worked to directly support first generation college students and out-of-school youth. She is excited to collaborate with educators and organizers to center social justice themes in the classroom.

Ira Yankwitt is the Executive Director of the Literacy Assistance Center. Ira began his career in adult literacy education in 1993. He has taught high school equivalency, managed a community-based adult literacy program, and spent many years training teachers and program administrators. Ira served as the Director of the New York City Regional Adult Education Network from 2004 through 2007. From 2007-2012, Ira oversaw curriculum, instruction, and professional development for the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Adult and Continuing Education. He has served in his current position since December 2012.