Last month, the Maine Department of Education (Maine DOE) launched the nation’s first project to bring a collection of children’s picture books about race, diversity and immigration to every public school in the state.
[RELATED: Maine Education Chief: “Academic Learning” Takes Backseat to Social-Emotional, Gender, and Race…]
The initiative, called “The Pine Project’s Welcoming Libraries,” is a collaboration between the Maine Department of Energy and the Portland-based nonprofit I’m Your Neighbor Books.
“By increasing access to and engagement with children’s literature for immigrants and new generations, I’m Your Neighbor Books fosters welcoming behaviors and builds a sense of belonging in all communities.” the for-profit organization says on its website.
“We work to reduce stereotypes and false narratives about immigrant and new-generation communities by increasing access to the increasingly diverse and rich stories in children’s literature,” they said. I’m writing.
[RELATED: House Speaker Calls for Storming Capitol Over White Supremacist Ideology at Maine Department of Education…]
Among the co-founders and board members of I’m Your Neighbor Books are Portland City Councilman Reverend Ali, Somali-American state Rep. Deka Darach (D-Lewiston), and Catholic Charities They include Charles Mugabe, the group’s main migration director.
Welcome Library Example: Pine Collection Bookshelf | Source: Maine Department of Energy
Each “Welcome Library” consists of a collection of 30 picture books centered around themes such as race, racism, immigration, diversity, and belonging.
According to the Maine Department of Energy, all books in the collection incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL)-based discussion questions that “feature the experiences of immigrant families and their new generations.”
I’m Your Neighbor Books says the discussion questions “help people of all ages and backgrounds have conversations about immigration, welcoming, and belonging.”
The project began with 16 “Welcoming Libraries” in Maine public schools, but the Maine DOE is now expanding the project to all school administrative units in Maine through collaboration with nonprofit organizations. did.
Funding for this project is supported by the Federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), a COVID-19 pandemic relief fund administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
[RELATED: Maine Department of Education Wants to Spend $23,500 on ‘Happiness Expert’ Motivational Speaker…]
“We know the power of stories. We know the power of stories to move readers, help them identify with others, feel more connected, feel included in a community, and feel a sense of belonging.” We know the power of books,” Maine DOE Associate Commissioner for Public Education Megan Welter said when announcing the project in February 2016. September. “Each story in Welcome to the Library: The Pine Collection reflects our power as participants.”
“We know that through this initiative, we can immerse readers in great stories while giving educators the tools to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all students,” Welter said. said.
[RELATED: Mills Admin Discloses Payments to Press Herald for Publishing Positive Articles on Maine Public Schools, DOE Spending…]
As part of the Pine Project, the Maine DOE will also develop a series of five professional development modules to help Maine public school teachers teach students about race, immigration, and other themes explored in picture books. Released.
In this module, teachers are asked to take Harvard University’s “Racial Attitudes Implicit Association Test,” and the Maine DOE helps educators “understand hidden bias” toward social categories such as race and gender. It is said to be useful.
“By providing accessible resources that reflect the experiences of diverse students, we foster a sense of belonging and support impactful conversations about diverse demographics,” said the Maine Department of Energy. Melanie Junkins, Pine Project Leader and multilingual and bilingual education expert, said in the project’s first module. .
[RELATED: Maine’s 2024-2025 Supplemental Budget Includes $3.5 Million for English Language Learners at Public Schools…]
Kirsten Cappy, executive director of I’m Your Neighbor Books, said during a professional development course that “picture book stories are a great way for educators and students to explore social-emotional learning by adding race and culture.” It is a safe and productive space for inclusion.”
Other topics included in the module include discussion of racist “microaggressions” and the experiences of cultural and racial minority students in public schools.
“Our job as educators is to center our learning on the history and impact of racism, as well as recent anti-racist thinking and action in the classroom,” said Pine Project Lead Educator and Port said Michelle Amato, an English teacher at the Rand School.
“In this job we will make mistakes, and we will make more mistakes, but the biggest mistake is not educating ourselves and not acting,” Amato said. “The lives of our students and the future of this country depend on it.”
A complete list of the 30 picture books included in each Welcoming Library can be found below.
