Shelley, whose mom immigrated here from the DR, works hard to get herself into Brandeis. COVID-19 adds to the barriers blocking Shelley from greater opportunity than her mother had. [more]

Josiah has studied the history of white violence against black people for several years. He thinks the country may be "awakening" in the wake of George Floyd's murder. [more]

In the midst of the upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic, Jessica appreciates that her teachers are suffering too, even as they support and help their students. [more]

S.T. is in a group home for unaccompanied minors after fleeing violence in Guinea, Africa. He makes sense of the pandemic by painting. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

Joanna managed to secure housing, daycare for her son, a school for herself, and the services she needed as she left foster care. But coronavirus shut it all down. [more]

Matthew moved from denial to acceptance of the health crisis, drawing on his experience with depression. He took himself out of school before it closed, to protect others. [more]

Although Adrian's family was accepting "of queer stuff" they still felt that it was a "disgusting, wrong thing." Finally, they realize no one hated them for being gay but themselves. [more]

Mocked by her family for not being able to properly hold chopsticks, Claire doesn’t feel Korean enough. A friend validates her feelings. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

Daleelah is self-conscious about her weight until she participates in a girls' empowerment group. There she discovers self-love as a revolutionary act in the face of society’s negative beauty stereotypes. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

After getting suspended, Khyron considers the punishment and makes the case for its ineffectiveness, suggesting restorative justice is more apt. [more]