Why ethnic studies matters | Ron Espiritu | TEDxAmherstCollege

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. A growing body of research from education scholars shows that an Ethnic Studies pedagogy taught at the K-12 level exposes students to an empowering and academically rigorous curriculum that has proven positive academic and social benefits to students of all races. In his talk, Ron Espiritu, a high school Ethnic Studies teacher in South Los Angeles shares the approaches he uses with his students and challenges teachers and school districts to adopt Ethnic Studies classes and frameworks into every school’s curriculum.

Ron Espiritu graduated from Amherst College in
2006 with a double major in History and
Interdisciplinary studies with a focus in Chicano
and Nuyorican Literature and received a Five
College Certificate in Latin American and
Caribbean Studies. Upon graduation, Ron moved to Los Angeles where he has taught high school for the past nine years. In 2008, he graduated from Loyola Marymount University earning a Masters degree in Education. That same year he began teaching Ethnic Studies and Chicano/African – American studies at Animo South Los Angeles High School. He is a founding member of The People’s Education Movement, a grassroots community organization that mobilizes educators
to fight for social justice in and out of the
classroom. Espiritu also participates in local and national campaigns that defend and promote Ethnic Studies approaches to teaching.

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