How to Teach Contentious Issues in the Classroom

This 116-page guidebook spans nine chapters and is tailored to all educators who want to better address contentious issues in the classroom and beyond. Written for a general audience, the goals for this guidebook are to expand the contours of who gets to participate in classroom learning and to empower educators and students to positively advocate for a culture of equity. Covering topics including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and visual literacy—these tools are here to empower educators and students to positively change their local environment, practices, systems, and institutions.

The guidebook also explores various aspects of teaching, such as writing a syllabus, establishing a framework for classroom discussion, and devising an equitable grading system—all through the lens of covering any potentially controversial topic. Included is a 30-page appendix of tools and resources that can be immediately applied.

Thirty percent of all proceeds will directly support the Durham Children’s Initiative.