Support FilAm U.S. History in Seattle Public Schools
“Are we an elective or we are a requirement?”
The living curriculum
In 2019, there was a push to amend board policies so community-generated curricula would be possible to utilize. The amendment addressed that there was at the time no “process to adopt non-commercially produced materials to fulfill statutory requirements or that are district developed.” This policy change opened the door to locally grown ethnic studies curricula.
Current Ethnic Studies program manager Alekz Wray ushered in a curriculum developed right here in Seattle by the local Filipino community. Wray said, “It was really important for me to make sure that this class was not a product of SPS. This was a product of the community that has been living this history, because who’s telling the story is super important … This was the Filipino, Filipina, Filipinx American communities’ story to tell, and because the community still has ownership over this curriculum, they’re still able to empower and uplift and keep this as a living curriculum. Read the full story from International Examiner.
Ways to help and support
Though Filipino/a/x American (FilAm) U.S. history is in Seattle Public Schools, this is only the beginning. We must keep pushing to integrate it, not as only ethnic studies, but as American History. It is a step towards bringing EVERYONES’ stories into the classroom, giving all our children access to not only their own identities, but knowledge that will help promote social progress and avoid repeated mistakes from the glaring holes in our education.
How you can help:
Join the cohort! Sign up to teach Filipinx American curriculum
Contact Filipino American Educators of Washington (FAEW) for more information about the curriculum or FAEW projects.
Email FAEW with grant/funding opportunities that can further support the curriculum/professional development!
Petition your students school to offer the course! The course is offered based on if principals/admin choose to take it. We have schools with significant FilAm populations who haven’t taken the opportunity. Show them how important this is and that there is a need!
Join the fight for ethnic studies in SPS! Right now there is a BLM at school week campaign (linktr.ee/blmatschool2023 )
Spread the word about the course! Get your friends to support! Do your research about Filipinx folks in Seattle and the current fights for Filipinotown.
From the Field to Table event
You can view or download the PDF of our Missing Pages From Your U.S. History Book menu. Cover illustration is from local FilAm graphic artist and a core contributor to the curriculum integration, Allani Seals.
All proceeds from the field goal kick went to the Filipino American Educators of Washington.
Learn more about the sound bath from Karleen Ilagan of Biōm Seattle .
Core group
Starting from the top left: Annabel Garcia-Andresen, Emily Lawsin, Genevieve Fernandez, Devin Cabanilla, Kay Dumlao, Allani Seals, Cindy Domingo, Vince Reyes, Tianna Andresen, Olivya Cerdinio, Stacia Hawkinson, Aaron Verzosa, Amber Manuguid, Alekzandr Wray, and Dr. Third Andresen served as the core group of organizers on this endeavor.
