Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
Inclusive Leadership: Lean into Discomfort
Facing History’s President and CEO offers advice for school leaders on how to navigate polarizing moments with students, staff, and the communities you serve.
![Our President and CEO, Desmond K. Blackburn PhD addresses a crowd of educators, alums, students, and supporters in Memphis, TN](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/Desmond2.png?h=e9403ca4&itok=txkL8JvY)
Who are we without our values?
The values that lead Facing History extend beyond the classroom. Our entire community are participants in the work we do.
![A series of artistic metal stick figures holding hands in a circle](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/We_are_all_connected.png?h=56d0ca2e&itok=l5vy28nV)
Donor Spotlight: Lebovitz Family Charitable Trust
Since 2007 the Lebovitz Family Charitable Trust has helped combat bigotry and hate by supporting the expansion of Facing History's outreach.
![Learning,_education_and_student_with_questions_for_teacher_in_middle_school_classroom_Library,_scholarship_group_and_male_learner_raising_hand_to_answer_question,_studying_or_he](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/AdobeStock_562393529_-_Learning%2C_education_and_student_with_questions_for_teacher_in_middle_school_classroom_Library%2C_scholarship_group_and_male_learner_raising_hand_to_answer_question%2C_studying_or_he.jpg?h=81731d0e&itok=SdilmH7m)
Bringing Down Barriers in Schools
Angela Sims, principal of Ted Lenart Regional Gifted Center, shares her introduction to equity education and how it led her to Facing History's work.
![Dr. Angela Sims on stage](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/BMC02491.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=rvBf7VGn)
Headed to NCSS? Make Sure to Connect with Facing History!
Facing History has a booth and is offering three sessions at the 2023 NCSS Annual Conference—join us to learn more about our social studies work.
![People meeting in room](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/People%20meeting%20in%20room%2C%20FH2198564.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=VpIPV7Dm)
Donor Spotlight: Tom and Elizabeth Wippman
Longtime donors Tom and Elizabeth Wippman believe that a Facing History education will help our democracy thrive.
![Portrait of Tom and Elizabeth Wippman](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/BMC02004.jpg?h=d8555cda&itok=C-zOvego)
Meet Joe Nappi: Facing History Educator and New Jersey State Teacher of the Year
Award-winning teacher Joe Nappi talks about his unlikely journey into teaching and the Facing History workshop that changed the course of his career.
![Portrait of Joe Nappi](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/jnappi07_copy_2.jpg?h=016341e2&itok=2oAMXKMD)
5 Tips for Speaking across Difference over the Holidays
As social gatherings commence this holiday season, explore these suggestions to help keep dialogue around sensitive topics productive and meaningful.
![A group of friends and family of Indian ethnicity sit at a table set with traditional Indian food. A high angle view from overhead of the food, plates, and dishes at the dining table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/iStock-1064762202.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=zd-9v8JG)
Connect with Facing History at the NCTE Convention
Facing History is sponsoring a booth and presenting two sessions at the 2023 NCTE Conexiones Convention—join us to learn more about our ELA work!
![Attentive people attend meeting.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/Attentive_businesspeople_attend_conference.jpg?h=a2226264&itok=hWakk6f1)
Inclusive Leadership: Leverage Your Context
Facing History’s President and CEO offers advice on immersing with one’s community and meeting people where they are.
![Desmond Blackburn at the 2023 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BENEFIT.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/20230524FHOA_329.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=B2Voi_lv)
Reflections on Plymouth: "This is where our people are."
Cheryl Andrews-Maltais talks about feelings around the Mayflower landing, celebrating Indigenous survival, and how to teach true history.
![Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, Chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah, is seen on July 8, 2019 in Boston, Boston Herald](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/Cheryl%20Andrews-Maltais%2C%20Chairwoman%20of%20the%20Wampanoag%20Tribe%20of%20Gay%20Head%20Aquinnah%2C%20is%20seen%20on%20July%208%2C%202019%20in%20Boston%2C%20Boston%20Herald.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=IjjcaSu_)