Teacher Training Workshops
JACL teacher training workshops are offered throughout the year to schools and school districts. Each workshop is limited to 50 participants. The JACL will underwrite the cost of presenting a limited number of workshops each year. Two experienced presenters will guide the participants through a five-hour session. The date and location for the workshops will be arranged with parties interested in hosting a workshop.
Workshop Focus
Several times in our nation’s history, political leaders have been faced with balancing constitutional rights with issues of national security. Many factors have influenced these decisions including prejudice, public hysteria created by a national emergency, skewed information and data, the media, and the judgments made by our political leaders. This workshop will examine both the impact of September 11, 2001 on Arab Americans and Muslims and the experiences of Japanese Americans and their internment during World War II.
The workshop will feature the following:
- Perceptions about “loyalty” and patriotism” and what it means to be an American.
- Discussion about the challenges and responsibilities facing Americans today with a retrospective view of the treatment of Japanese Americans over 60 years ago.
- A review of the reactions and responses to both December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001. These include the actions and comments by government officials and the media, their impact on targeted communities and the message these actions and comments send to the public at-large. Workshop participants will take a discriminating look at the Constitution and Bill of Rights and possible infringements on civil liberties in the wake of September 11.
- Panelists from the Japanese American, Arab American and Muslim communities will share personal accounts of their experiences following December 7 and September 11, focusing on the manner in which a suspicious public and the actions of government affected their lives.
- The presenters will introduce classroom lesson plans to create an awareness about the experiences of Arab Americans, Muslims and Japanese Americans. The curriculum will include activities to foster tolerance and an understanding of history, culture and the Constitution.
For information, contact the JACL Midwest Office at Midwest@jacl.org or 773.728.7170.