Connect with Communities That Rejuvenate & Inspire You
NYCORE holds regular meetings to
share ideas in building progressive schools
Finding teaching communities of fellow educators and active community members is crucially important for beginning teachers. This is time when we, too, are exploring our own identities as teachers and members of school communities. We need mentors and friends to help us through the intense learning curves and tough transitions we must make.
Get Connected with Active Communities
Getting connected with active communities doesn't just improve our teaching techniques, but also helps us tap into our potential for bringing more energy and passion to the classroom. We need to constantly be learning alongside our students. Below are a few links to community-based organizations that are working to educate and empower youth to get involved in local and national social issues. Click the icon to be directed to the website:
Food Sustainability & Reform
Ever wonder where our food comes from? Why are some foods so disproportionately cheap? This site is for you if you are interesting in exploring the origins - and people - behind our food. The Coalition of farmworkers and immigrants have great resources for education and advocacy in organizing for fair wages in the fields. This organization takes the high-road when building strong community networks, and has successfully negotiated for higher wages with multinational corporations such as McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Trader Joe's. Good to learn and teach about when discussing food systems, agricultural sustainability, and immigrant workforces.
Dream Act & Immigration
Are your students interested in immigration? This site would be useful for students to get familiar with online communities of youth activists with local networks and opportunities for involvement in immigration reform.
Student and Worker Solidarity
Ever wonder who those kids were protesting on your college campus about a factory that made t-shirts? Well, even if you didn't, this site would help explain why high school and college campuses are connected with factories around the world. In this organization, students and workers collaborate on campaigns for better working conditions in factories, cafeterias, and agriculture fields. Check out the website for more background information and ways youth are getting involved with globalization and trade movements!
LGBT Legal Rights & Reform
Interested in learning more about LGBT rights and reform? Have students interested in law? This might be a good avenue for you to explore. How do we bring in identity issues into the classroom with an academic and constitutional lens? The ACLU developed a Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Project with some great resources and community action groups to help inspire you in broaching this topic.