When COVID blasted through NMC last fall, it canceled one of our most anticipated sessions at the October Conference — a panel discussion on handling contentious topics in the classroom. What a disappointment!  This sounded like just the conversation we needed.

Happily, the panel has regrouped and will lead a discussion at our March 3 Friday Forum titled Experiences with Teaching Anti Racism and Contentious Topics in the Classroom. Rachel Wilczewski, Melissa Sprenkle, and John Zachman will share stories and best practices, although their focus has shifted slightly. 

Rachel will share her experience in her Race and Ethnicity class last fall, and Melissa will share experiences teaching a unit on “Anti-Racist Shakespeare.” John and Melissa will also draw on many years teaching such issues as the opioid epidemic, the housing crisis, immigration, abortion, and other contentious issues. All three say that while addressing these issues can be challenging, the college setting is the ideal place to have academic and empathetic discussions about topics that are so contentious and so important. 

The March 3 Friday Forum will be in person from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Room 106/07 in the Innovation Center.  Lunch will be served. Please join us!