Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Partner on “Speak Truth to Power” Initiative
02/14/2012
On February 8th, 2012, CTU hosted a presentation outlining a new Speak Truth to Power (STTP) social science curriculum available to CPS teachers. STTP, a project of the Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Center for Justice and Human Rights, is a multi-faceted global initiative that uses the experiences of courageous defenders from around the world to educate students and others about human rights, and urge them to take action.
This past November, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the RFK Center launched 32 lessons designed by 14 CPS teachers as part of the STTP human rights curriculum, based on the lives and work of 14 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. Issues addressed in these lessons range from slavery and environmental activism to religious self-determination and political participation.
The stories of the 14 heroic individuals – including familiar names like Lech Walesa, Mikhail Gorbachev, Dali Lama and Jody Williams – not only serve as the jumping off point for a larger examination of human rights, but also, through concrete instruction, provide the students with a way to identify as human rights defenders themselves.
The online curriculum is aligned with the Illinois State Standards and the national Common Core State Standards that have been adopted in 46 states. The curriculum is flexible and can be modified to meet the needs of each individual classroom. To access the curriculum visit the web link:
http://cps.edu/Programs/Academic_and_enrichment/Documents/ChicagoSTTPCurriculum.pdf
Further professional development (beginning 2/22/2012) will lead up to the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates to be held in Chicago, on April 23rd, 2012. To register for this or other STTP professional development opportunities, visit the web link: http://www.cpsuniversity.com/ and search Speak Truth to Power.
During their time in Chicago, the Nobel Laureates will travel to CPS schools to meet with students who have been learning about their lives, and meet the teachers who are using STTP lessons.
These schools will not be the only lucky ones to benefit from the Nobel Laureates’ visits. Thanks to a partnership with Safari Live, plans are being made for the interaction between the Nobel Laureates and the students to be broadcast to ALL CPS schools and others across the nation, and will feature an interactive question and answer session. In addition, some students and teachers will have the opportunity to attend the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, and participate in other surrounding activities. To have a chance to be invited to the World Summit you must attend the professional development.
For more information on how your class can become involved, please contact: waltertaylor@ctulocal1.com
