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Dear Friend,
We made it. Inhale. We made it to 2021. Exhale. As an organization, Live It Learn It was stretched in many different ways, but we remained strong in delivering our model, maintaining our commitments, and sharing our passion with DCPS students and teachers. We are continually inspired by the grit and resilience our students and teachers possess as they navigate the virtual space day after day. Thank you for your investment in our students, partner teachers, and Experiential Learning Fellows!
I am delighted to share the latest issue of The Progress Report with you, featuring updates on our virtual curricula, anti-racism commitment, and community partnerships. We want to especially thank you for making our end-of-year fundraising campaign such a success. Your investment in our work continues to provide experiential learning opportunities in imaginative ways for both students and teachers. As we carry on this spring, we are proud to have you by our side.
Sincerely,
Michelle N. Edwards, Ed. D
Executive Director
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The MVP of Frederick's Escape
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Artwork from L to R: Anna Murray Douglass by Aaron Hazel, One Hundred Miles Straight North by Cordell Cordaro, Anna Murray Douglass by Shawn Dunwoody.
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Would Frederick Douglass have been as successful without the brains behind his escape?
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When Live It Learn It decided to create a virtual unit based on our in-person field experience at Cedar Hill, we wanted to tell the story of Frederick’s first wife, Anna Murray Douglass. An abolitionist in her own right, Anna financed Frederick’s escape and was one of the first agents on the Underground Railroad. Her role in history was significant, and yet her story is rarely told. In our virtual unit, students “think like historians,” using primary sources and artifacts at Cedar Hill to learn about Anna’s life.
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Through the words of her daughter, Rosetta, students learn that Anna was strong and fiercely protective of her family, with a strength of character and purpose that earned her “the respect of the noblest and the best.” At the same time, students examine the story of Frederick Douglass and the Anti-Slavery Movement. But they also learn that there are many untold stories in history and that as historians, they can give voice to those narratives. Who is someone in history you'd like to give voice to?
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Quotes by LILI staff members from a collaborate board exercise, December 2020
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As racial and political unrest continue to roil our country, Live It Learn It remains committed to the ongoing anti-racism work that is an integral part of our mission. This past December, our staff completed a year-long racial equity training with local facilitators. This training included monthly workshops, assigned readings, and a great deal of self-reflection. At times this study meant “unlearning” things we thought we knew and unpacking how our individual perspectives shape us. For some of us, it was the first time we’d taken a hard look at DC’s racial history. Our entire team will continue this study and, most importantly, apply these learnings to our work with Washington, DC students and teachers.
If you are interested in learning more and exploring what anti-racism means to you, click here for our curated list of available resources.
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Lifelong Learners Unite
If you are intrigued by the idea of joining DC educators for a year of study, coaching, and collaboration, then the Experiential Learning Fellowship may be for you. And feel free to spread the word to other teachers!
Learn More...
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And the Award Goes to...
LINK Strategic Partners announced that the promotional video for Live It Learn It won a MarCom Award! We are so proud to partner on this award-winning collaboration. Thank you, LINK!
Missed seeing it?
Take a Look →
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Adding You to Our Gratitude Journal...
Your generosity this giving season absolutely blew us away and we cannot possibly thank you enough! On Giving Tuesday, over 100 donors came together and raised nearly $13,000. This includes an unbelievable 54 donors who were giving to LILI for the very first time! We also exceeded our total end-of-year giving goal by raising over $150,000. This money helps us continue our work with DCPS students and teachers throughout the pandemic and beyond.
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"I always love the creativity of the Live It Learn It lessons, so it was awesome for me to see a new platform and how you used it to engage our kids!"
- Ms. Pazmino, 3rd Grade Teacher, Tubman ES
"I have been a part of the LILI family since inception. I am so proud to see the program continuing to have a positive impact on students and teachers in DCPS. Keep up the great work!"
- Ms. Foster, 4th Grade Teacher, Payne ES
"This opportunity provided a culture experience for students that they would not have received from their general education classes."
- Ms. Brown, 5th Grade Teacher, Drew ES
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Did you know?
You can support LILI in so many ways!
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- Join the Live It Learn It Honor Roll! By becoming a monthly donor (at any dollar amount) you provide a consistent and crucial source of support for our students and our work. It’s easy! Become part of the LILI Honor Roll family here.
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- Choose Live It Learn It as your charity when you shop on Amazon at smile.amazon.com. You can set it and forget it and LILI receives a percentage of the money that you are spending anyway. There’s no cost to you!
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