Freedom to Learn

#DiverseEd - Virtual IV (Early Career Teachers)

#DiverseEd - Virtual IV (Early Career Teachers), which took place on Sat 10 Apr 2021 celebrated and showcased the diversity, equality and inclusion at the heart of education. The theme for this event was visibility. Partner speakers from Phoenix Education Changemakers' Lab – Fatma Shami, Nykeda Bekoe-Amoako, Reese Marley Robinson, and Yumna Hussen.

Youth-Led Education Changemaking: Sharing Tools for Change

More and more young people are taking decisive action on the injustices we see around us, eschewing traditional structures like school council committees for more direct action. From climate strikes to decolonising the curriculum, students are demanding wholescale education transformation, building a case for tangible, meaningful, and shared activism; not just as individuals with a large social media following; not just tinkering around the edges; not just as a trend. This panel discussion was hosted by Simi Musa and Ava James from @not_a_trend, and we heard from: Jemmar Samuels @TheJemmar @thehalocltv Amy Meek @BePlasticClever Yumna Hussen @Yumna_Hussen Lottie Cooke @LottieCooke16 Click here for the Change Collective website

#DiverseEd Youth Panel

In a recent Changemakers' Lab action, Phoenix Education collaborated with Diverse Educators, Pupil Power, and Not a Trend in putting together the first ever student only panel at a DiverseEd event. This was also the first time that Diverse Ed had panelled student speakers which included: Aliyah York from @ThePupilPower, Ava James @avaajames, Ayah, Lottie Cooke @LottieCooke16 and Simi Musa @not_a_trend. Listen up to hear calls for the representation of young people in education decision-making spaces, unapologetic sharing of experiences of school and the education system, the scrapping of student councils to make way for less performative and more representative and critical ways of hearing students' voices. You will also hear visions for 21st century education that is democratic, transparent and honest, that supports students' interests and plays to their strengths.

Podcasting for Changemaking

Join this workshop with Gem Kennedy, creator of the Queers & Co. podcast, as she shares how and why podcasting can help your activism, offers practical tips, and guides you in exploring how to create your own. Gem Kennedy is a transformational practitioner, activist and founder of Queers & Co., a network for queer folks and allies making social change. Her work focuses around the themes of self-empowerment, body liberation and activism. The Changemakers Lab is a two year program run by Phoenix Education supporting 14-18 year olds campaigning to reform the education system to better reflect their needs and rights.

Taking Action: Activism in public spaces

Protests, flyer-bombing, flash-mobs, ad-hacking, sit-ins - what are some effective uses of direct action to further a campaign and why, and when, are they successful? When aren't they? An interactive discussion and workshop with Changemakers Lab on examples of direct action and how to make effective use of it. The Changemakers Lab is a two year program run by Phoenix Education supporting 14-18 year olds campaigning to reform the education system to better reflect their needs and rights.