In Cleveland, Ohio, Not In Our Town partner Facing History [1] is unveiling an exciting new exhibit: Choosing To Participate [2], “a multifaceted educational and civic initiative that challenges us to think deeply about what democracy means and what it asks of each of us.” Consisting of a travelling multimedia exhibit, public events, and a website [2] that allows users to participate in the exhibit and access online resources, Choosing To Participate is a truly innovative and essential new initiative.
In light of this opening, we’d like to highlight some of the amazing work being done by teachers and students in Cleveland schools.
This May, NIOT producers Patrice O’Neill and Kelly Whalen traveled to Cleveland to film Not In Our School segments at two local high schools. From those visits, we have created two short films featuring Shaw High School in East Cleveland and Lakewood High School in Lakewood.
Peer to peer learning is a core practice in Lori Urogody-Eiler’s Facing History class at Shaw High School-- and her students have found a way to pass on her methods. The students decided to turn their experiences in elementary school and their knowledge about how to resist bullying and fighting into a workshop for younger students.
In the video, these young people present a powerful model of youth innovation in action. Their abilities have not gone unnoticed. Ms. Urogody-Eiler’s Facing History class at Shaw has hosted international visitors from Ukraine to Rwanda who want to learn from these students!
In Lakewood, just outside of Cleveland, students in Joe Lobozzo's Lakewood High School Human Rights and Conflict class used video to engage with community members and explore perceptions of changing racial and economic demographics. The students tackle some of the race and class implications of the common local saying “Lakewood is changing.” They continue the conversation with their peers in the student Race and Diversity Club, or R.A.D.
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