In this session, I will share two guides (one for K-8 and another for 9-12) about the history of zines, how they have been used throughout various social justice movements, and how the creation of zines promotes democratic principles. Instructors will have the opportunity to make their own zines and discuss ways to utilize zine-making in the classroom.
Affiliated with YpsiWrites and Washtenaw Community College
I am a Xicana writer, artist, and educator from Fostoria, Ohio. I received my BFA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Michigan in 2018, during which time I completed a poetry and fiction collection. For my work, I received three Hopwood Awards and the Quinn Prize... Read More →
Wednesday August 13, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT Room 1
The backbeat is one of the foundational rhythmic elements of Black American music. In this session, participants will learn a pedagogical approach for teaching this rhythm through the lens of three key genres: jazz, techno, and hip-hop. Concurrent with this history of the backbeat, this session will also analyze the preservation and erasure of the musical history of Detroit, giving educators a set of tools to help students make meaningful, deep connections with the musical history of Detroit.
Student-centered inquiry and historical investigation will be at the heart of this presentation. First, a bit of scaffolding knowledge of music theory and music history will be provided to the attendees. Educators in this session will get a hands-on, kinesthetic approach to teaching the music theory behind the backbeat (read: there will be stomping and clapping) that can easily be applied to students in a classroom setting. This analysis of the backbeat will serve as a springboard into music history, viewing how the backbeat is used in songs both inside and outside the Black American musical lineage and/or the music of Detroit. Specific listening examples will be given to show how elements of the backbeat (and all of the histories wrapped up inside of it) have been preserved, rewritten, and/or erased. Ultimately, these activities can be used by educators to help drive students into inquiry-based learning and make meaningful, deep connections between the modern popular music they listen to and the genres in the Black American musical lineage (How does the music I listen to connect to Detroit musical history? How is this history preserved or erased in the pop music of today?).
In this session, we will explore resources available to Michigan teachers through the Michigan Learning Channel and local PBS stations. PBS has tutorials, lesson plans, and curricula to support media-rich learning and digital storytelling across grade levels and in every possible subject area. The Michigan Learning Channel provides statewide access to local resources and opportunities for publication and celebration, inaddition to coaching and in-person support for teachers who are new to digital content creation with students. We will share what we do and offer some hands-on exploration tiem where attendees can play with equipment and co-design learning experiences with the goal of uplifting student voice and telling local community stories.
Matt is the Program Director for the Michigan Learning Channel, a statewide PBS station partnership that brings educational media and resources to schools, homes, and communities across Michigan.
Wednesday August 13, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT Room 1
How can educators move beyond traditional textbooks and lectures to create dynamic, student-centered learning experiences that deeply engage students in uncovering and amplifying historically marginalized voices? This session will explore Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a powerful, culturally relevant tool for teaching the rich and often untold histories of Wayne County. Participants will discover how PBL can be an effective means of not only educating students about the diverse cultural fabric of their community, but also empowering them to engage with local histories in meaningful ways.
Participants will:
*Explore how PBL can highlight diverse histories—including Indigenous, Asian American, African American, Arab American, Hispanic American and labor movements—while connecting students to their own cultural roots and Wayne County’s complex legacies, such as Black histories, Arab American communities, and environmental justice movements. *Collaborate with instructional coaches to actively plan and brainstorm PBL units that incorporate culturally responsive teaching, place-based learning, and student-driven inquiry. *Leave with actionable strategies to design PBL experiences that empower students to investigate, preserve, and share the stories of their own communities, ensuring that untold histories are acknowledged and respected.
Drawing inspiration from successful PBL experiences such as the Iconic Michigan PBL at Horizon High School, the Healthy Detroit Communities PBL, and The Change Through Street Art PBL at University Prep Art and Design, this session will showcase powerful student-driven projects. Through storytelling, video production, visual arts, and community engagement, these projects empowered students to reclaim, preserve, and share culturally significant narratives. Participants will gain insights into how PBL can be used to amplify student voices, connect with local history, and create meaningful learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.Whether you are new to PBL or looking to deepen your approach, this session will provide practical tools, inspiration, and collaborative planning time to help you design culturally relevant, justice-centered learning experiences for your classroom.
Jill Jenkins is an experienced educator with over 21 years in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Madonna University, an Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Phoenix, and an Administrative Certification from Davenport University... Read More →
Jeremy Hein is in his 12th year of education, with 11 years of experience teaching middle school social studies before transitioning into his current role as an instructional coach. He holds a Master’s degree in Educational Technology from Grand Valley State University and a Secondary... Read More →
Thursday August 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT Room 1
