San Francisco
Supporting educators, schools, and districts across Northern California.
Since 1997, we have been partnering with educators, schools, and districts across Northern California.
Our district-wide partnerships help schools become intentional about implementing more equitable educational policies and culturally-mediated practices in the classroom. Educators create systems and structures around scheduling, discipline, student voices, and whole-school events and programs that are more reflective, inclusive, and fair.
Our teaching materials and professional development resources are designed to help middle and secondary school educators meet the California History-Social Science Framework and State Seal of Civic Engagement requirements— and they do.
Facing History supports the CA History-Social Science Framework
Through a wide range of inquiry-based individual and group activities designed to promote students’ historical understanding, critical thinking, and civic agency and engagement—as well as an ongoing practice of self-reflection—students explore how society influences individuals and, ultimately, how individuals can influence and impact their society, as they apply their knowledge of history to current, real-world issues.
Facing History supports the CA History-Social Science Framework
Through a wide range of inquiry-based individual and group activities designed to promote students’ historical understanding, critical thinking, and civic agency and engagement—as well as an ongoing practice of self-reflection—students explore how society influences individuals and, ultimately, how individuals can influence and impact their society, as they apply their knowledge of history to current, real-world issues.
1100+
There are over 1100 schools in Northern California with Facing History trained educators.
20,000+
We have supported over 20,000 area educators with Facing History guidance and resources.
Our Bay Area Student Leadership Group brings together students from schools throughout the region to exchange ideas about their own role in a democracy and to nurture their ability to stand up against bigotry and hate. Students have developed school-wide programs on a range of issues, from voter education to mental health.
The state of democracy in our country and around the world is more fragile than ever. Facing History has helped me understand my role as a citizen is to stay informed, actively participate, and know that my choices matter - not just my for myself but for others. Facing History helped me connect to my courage and better understand what I can do in the face of injustice. It's changed the way I participate in my community.
—
Judy Goldman, San Francisco Bay Area Advisory Board Member
Celebrating 25 years in the San Francisco Bay Area
Join us to support Bay Area teachers as they use lessons of the past to equip students to meet the challenges of today and build a more just future.
Contact Us
Mailing Address:
PO Box 30368, Oakland, CA 94604
sanfrancisco [at] facinghistory.org
Executive Director: Raquel España
Advisory Board Chair: Edda Collins Coleman
Donate now and together we'll build a better world
Make a 100% tax-deductible donation today and you'll help us reach even more teachers and students around the world, giving them the tools to fight back against hatred and bigotry.
You might also be interested in…
Youth Voice as Civic Action
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Virtual
Join KQED and Facing History for a hands-on workshop exploring the pivotal role of young people in civic engagement and secure classroom resources.
5 Teacher Resources for Hispanic American Heritage Month
Facing History shares free teacher resources of lessons designed to help educators bring the richness of Latinx life and history into focus in the classroom.
Youth Voice as Civic Action
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Virtual
Join KQED and Facing History for a hands-on workshop exploring the pivotal role of young people in civic engagement and receive classroom resources.
The Road to Democracy Runs Through the Classroom
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Lafayette, CA
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Carol Anderson about threats to voter access and democracy, and the importance of civic and history education.
Bringing Current Events Into The Classroom
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Virtual
Engaging with current events is an essential part of educating young people to be informed and humane citizens in a democracy. Join us virtually for a workshop where we will explore how to bring unfolding events into the classroom, and model adaptable strategies that foster thoughtful classroom conversations.
We Are Facing History: Civics & 21st Century Democracy
Virtual
Dr. Danielle Allen and Dr. Peter Levine discuss the necessity of fostering active civic participation and ways we can work across differences and break down polarization to build a stronger democracy.
All Community Read: Introducing Judy Heumann’s Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior
Virtual
In this webinar, we introduce educators to Judith Heumann’s 2021 memoir, Being Heumann, an Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist and the young adult version: Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution.
Defining Genocide: The Attempt to Name and Prevent a Horrific Crime
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Virtual
In this virtual educator workshop in partnership with the New-York Historical Society, we look to remember the meaning of the word genocide and the conditions that drove a lawyer named Raphael Lemkin to coin this term to describe a horrific crime — a crime that prior to 1944 lacked a name and legal repercussions. By understanding the meaning of the term genocide and the human suffering to which it refers, our students will be able to use it with care while appreciating the need to wrestle with our obligations towards those victimized by a range of human rights violations.
New York Election Day Workshop: The Fragility of Democracy
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New York, NY
Join Facing History and the New-York Historical Society in person for an exploration of how individuals and institutions work to maintain and expand access to civil rights and democratic freedoms. Reflect on, what lessons does history offer on what’s needed to strengthen and sustain democracy today? Among the historical moments we will explore are the collapse of the Weimar Republic in Germany, and the Reconstruction Era in the United States. This event will be hosted in person.
Roger Brooks to Retire as CEO of Facing History - Our Search for a Successor
Roger Brooks has announced his plan to retire after a highly successful tenure at Facing History. We celebrate all he has accomplished with gratitude and launch our search for his successor.
Introducing Ideas This Week
Welcome! We've created a list to help you explore the best of what we have to offer. It covers topics including educator competencies, classroom resources, inspiring stories, and more.
