Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1487796
from CTA's Institute for Learning. The 180 fourth-grade participants received Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong, a book by Dawn B. Mabalon, PhD, with Gayle Romasanta, and illustrated by Andre Sibayan. Galapon created curriculum for the project and held a training for all fourth-grade teachers at her site. Soon she will offer training districtwide. Last year, during a read-aloud, five Filipino American students in her class were beaming. " Their faces just lit up," Galapon says. " They finally felt seen." Students admired Itliong's decision to stay in America and fight injustice. They observed that "people with white skin were paid 12 cents an hour to be a janitor while people with dark skin got paid 10 cents an hour to pick vegetables in the hot sun." Some reflected that Itliong was favored more than other Filipinos, yet still spoke out against unfair treatment. Galapon's project goes beyond Filipino American history: It encourages students to delve into their own cultures, reflect on their own communities, identify oppressors and develop projects that benefit others. "My hope is that students can talk about injustice and then make their community a better place by helping other people. I challenge them to come up with ways to make their communities better." Fourth grader Emmerson Noya organized a park clean-up day with her classmates and family. "It felt great to know that we had an impact on the neighbor- hood," says Noya. A culminating activity is planned for the school's multicultural fair later this year, when all students are encouraged to share stories, history, clothing styles and pictures that reflect their heritage. With rising hate crimes committed against Asian Americans, teaching Asian American history has never been more important, observes Galapon. " The more you see people as human beings, the less likely you are to dismiss someone that looks dif- ferent — and the more likely you are to treat others as you want to be treated." Galapon is vice chair of CTA's Pacific Asian Ameri- can Caucus. She looks forward to working with fellow educator and caucus chair Jayson Chang, who as a team member of the Asian American Education Proj- ect helps create Asian American history lessons for teachers at multiple grade levels throughout the state. "It's a massive job. But it's exciting to be part of this project." Galapon helps a student read through Journey for Justice: The Story of Larry Itliong. In the book, students learn the story of Filipino immigration to the United States and the life of a key but lesser-known West Coast labor leader. 24 cta.org The Innovation Issue