Activism in Education and Community: Youth + Adults = Partners for Change

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Although historically federal policies have greatly impacted the lives of minoritized and vulnerable populations (e.g. undocumented students and their families, students of color, students living in under-resourced communities), they have been exacerbated by the current presidential administration. Research is needed to investigate how teachers and students are responding to these federal initiatives through grassroots activism and organizing efforts. This session will explore the intersections of activism enacted by organizers of various roles and positions (e.g. teachers, students, and/or non-teacher educators outside school spaces) to illuminate how diverse grassroots efforts can complement each other’s pursuit of social justice by asking: How do adult and youth organizers conceptualize and engage in activism?

Sub Unit

• SIG-Grassroots Community and Youth Organizing for Educational Reform

Chair

• Shiv Raj Desai, University of New Mexico

Papers

• Youth Activism: Leaving Footprints in the Sand - Andrea Abeita, The University of New Mexico; Shiv Raj Desai, University of New Mexico

• STEM Teacher Activists' Engagement in Grassroots Organizing - Kari Kokka, University of Pittsburgh

• Critical Youth Action for Justice With STEM - Day W Greenberg, Michigan State University; Angela Calabrese Barton, University of Michigan

• The Lasting Impacts of Youth Intersectional Mobilization - Uriel Serrano, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Decisions, Responses, Outcomes: Social Media and Grassroots Education Organizing During Chaotic Political Times - Stacia Cedillo, The University of Texas - Austin

Discussant

• Bree Picower, Montclair State University