LM Feb.2021_lo

at right: Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat is passionate about encouraging students to read. Here she reads the children’s story, “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” to students.

C E L E B R A T I N G B L A C K H I S T O R Y M O N T H

Peoria Superintendent Discusses Teaching Black History, Addressing Racial Inequities and Reimagining Schools.

By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Social Media & Publications

February is Black History Month, but in Peoria Public Schools your district is now taking a year-round approach to teaching Black history. Can you share what the BH365 curriculum is? According to research regarding culturally responsive teaching and learning, there is a direct correlation between students’ self-awareness and academic achievement. There is an obvious need for Black American students to achieve in the same manner. Black History 365 is a curriculum whose purpose is to create cutting-edge resources that invite students and educators to become critical thinkers, listeners and fact- based communicators around Black History and Black History-makers. Other non-White students benefit from learning about other cultures. It is important for all learners to understand A Q

Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, superintendent of Peoria SD #150, was recently recognized by the state in honor of Black History Month and was awarded for Outstanding Commitment in Education. Dr. Desmoulin-Kherat was born in Dominica, West Indies and grew up in the United States, Virgin Islands. She has been superintendent at Peoria SD #150 since 2016 and has helped foster numerous innovative programs that are making a lasting impact in her community. Peoria SD #150 made the decision last fall that Black history would not just be the focus in February but rather engrained into the curriculum throughout the school year. In honor of Black History Month, IASA reached out to Dr. Desmoulin-Kherat to ask her why her district made that transition and also why she is so passionate about reimagining schools, addressing racial inequities, increasing the pool of African Americans going into education and more.

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LM February 2021