Jazzmyne Townsend, a language arts instructional coach at Stanton Elementary School, has been named the 2025 D.C. Teacher of the Year and will represent the District on the Council of Chief State School Officers, advocating for the needs of her students.
Category: Education
Washington teachers’ union reaches tentative five-year contract agreement
The Washington Teachers’ Union and the District of Columbia Public Schools have reached a tentative five-year contract agreement, which includes fair and good pay raises, better conditions, and improved recruitment and retention.
‘Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years’ exhibit opens at Morgan State
The James E. Lewis Museum of Art at Morgan State University is hosting a landmark exhibition titled “Keeping the Culture: The Last Twenty-Five Years” from Sept. 29 to Dec. 13, 2024, featuring an array of African American art, including works from master artists, local legends, and newer voices, celebrating the creativity, resilience, and cultural identity of Black artists.
From homeroom to handcuffs: Part 1 – Data shows African American and disabled students are disproportionately caught in the school-to-prison pipeline in Maryland public schools, many for low-level offenses
An 11-year-old student was arrested and taken to jail for refusing to sit in her assigned seat within an Anne Arundel County public school classroom, and the incident is indicative of a larger issue of racial and disability-based disparities in school-based arrests in Maryland.
Morgan State University hosts 40th Homecoming Gala
Morgan State University held its 40th annual fundraising gala on October 4, with Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, WBAL TV Co-Anchor Jenyne Donaldson, and Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) in attendance, supporting scholarship funds for current and prospective students.
Washington Mystics’ Ariel Atkins surprises Moten Elementary with $15,000 in classroom gifts
Ariel Atkins and the Lids Foundation surprised teachers and aides at Moten Elementary School with $15,000 in classroom supplies and decor, as well as Visa and Lids store gift cards, to show their appreciation and provide essential materials for the students.
Racist rumors, bomb threats and their toll on Black students
Springfield City School District has been disrupted by unfounded rumors of Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets, leading to bomb threats and evacuations, which have disproportionately impacted students of color.
More U.S. schools are taking breaks for meditation– teachers say it helps students’ mental health
GreenLight Fund Atlanta is helping Georgia school systems pay for a mindfulness program for its students, which has been shown to help manage stress and emotions, particularly in low-income communities.
No cheek left to turn: Standing up for Albina Head Start and the low-income families it serves
Albina Head Start, a highly regarded federal Head Start program, is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over a misapplied rule that could potentially force the program to lose federal funding due to a single incident of an employee breaking the rules.
Faith and education: One man’s crusade against prostate cancer
Dewayne Charleston, a Black man diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, is using his foundation to educate other Black men about the importance of prostate cancer screening and to support those who have been diagnosed.
Black stories crucial as Banned Book Week approaches
Book Banned Week is a protest against literature censorship, with the American Library Association reporting a 65% increase in targeted titles in 2023, and organizations like Freedom to Read and PEN America fighting against book bans in public schools.
Meharry Medical College partners with local middle and high schools for hands-on science experience
Meharry Medical College is collaborating with local middle and high schools to provide workshops, sumits, and events for students to engage in science, including a science day field trip, a Black Male STEAM summit, and a Black Girls in STEAM summit.

