Link:https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/social-studies/hidden-voices

Type: Curriculum resource (lesson collections, biographies, and educator guides)

Description:
Hidden Voices is a powerful educational initiative developed by the NYC Department of Education in collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York. It highlights the lives and contributions of individuals from historically marginalized communities—particularly African American, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander backgrounds—who are often left out of traditional history curricula. Each featured individual has made a meaningful impact through leadership, advocacy, or service, offering students a broader and more inclusive understanding of American history.

Why I chose this resource:
I discovered Hidden Voices through the CACF Inclusive Curriculum Initiative and was deeply moved by the stories it shares. What stood out to me is that the individuals featured aren’t necessarily household names like Martin Luther King Jr. or Abraham Lincoln. Instead, they are everyday people who faced adversity and chose to act with courage and compassion to improve their communities. Their stories feel accessible and inspiring—not because they were famous, but because they were brave, persistent, and values-driven. I believe this makes it easier for students (and educators like me) to see themselves as changemakers. It’s a reminder that doing the right thing matters, even when no one is watching. Additionally, from a teaching perspective, I can see how these materials and stories would compliment the current curriculum.

Classroom Applications:

• Use the lesson collections to build identity-affirming social studies or ELA units

• Facilitate small group discussions around themes of justice, resilience, and community

• Encourage students to research and share their own “hidden voices” from their families or local communities

Resource: Hidden Voices – Untold Stories in American History

Link:https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/social-studies/hidden-voices

Type: Curriculum resource (lesson collections, biographies, and educator guides)

Description:
Hidden Voices is a powerful educational initiative developed by the NYC Department of Education in collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York. It highlights the lives and contributions of individuals from historically marginalized communities—particularly African American, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander backgrounds—who are often left out of traditional history curricula. Each featured individual has made a meaningful impact through leadership, advocacy, or service, offering students a broader and more inclusive understanding of American history.

Why I chose this resource:
I discovered Hidden Voices through the CACF Inclusive Curriculum Initiative and was deeply moved by the stories it shares. What stood out to me is that the individuals featured aren’t necessarily household names like Martin Luther King Jr. or Abraham Lincoln. Instead, they are everyday people who faced adversity and chose to act with courage and compassion to improve their communities. Their stories feel accessible and inspiring—not because they were famous, but because they were brave, persistent, and values-driven. I believe this makes it easier for students (and educators like me) to see themselves as changemakers. It’s a reminder that doing the right thing matters, even when no one is watching. Additionally, from a teaching perspective, I can see how these materials and stories would compliment the current curriculum.

Classroom Applications:

• Use the lesson collections to build identity-affirming social studies or ELA units

• Facilitate small group discussions around themes of justice, resilience, and community

• Encourage students to research and share their own “hidden voices” from their families or local communities

Link:https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/social-studies/hidden-voices

Type: Curriculum resource (lesson collections, biographies, and educator guides)

Description:
Hidden Voices is a powerful educational initiative developed by the NYC Department of Education in collaboration with the Museum of the City of New York. It highlights the lives and contributions of individuals from historically marginalized communities—particularly African American, Native American, and Asian American/Pacific Islander backgrounds—who are often left out of traditional history curricula. Each featured individual has made a meaningful impact through leadership, advocacy, or service, offering students a broader and more inclusive understanding of American history.

Why I chose this resource:
I discovered Hidden Voices through the CACF Inclusive Curriculum Initiative and was deeply moved by the stories it shares. What stood out to me is that the individuals featured aren’t necessarily household names like Martin Luther King Jr. or Abraham Lincoln. Instead, they are everyday people who faced adversity and chose to act with courage and compassion to improve their communities. Their stories feel accessible and inspiring—not because they were famous, but because they were brave, persistent, and values-driven. I believe this makes it easier for students (and educators like me) to see themselves as changemakers. It’s a reminder that doing the right thing matters, even when no one is watching. Additionally, from a teaching perspective, I can see how these materials and stories would compliment the current curriculum.

Classroom Applications:

• Use the lesson collections to build identity-affirming social studies or ELA units

• Facilitate small group discussions around themes of justice, resilience, and community

• Encourage students to research and share their own “hidden voices” from their families or local communities

Link: https://asccc-oeri.org/open-educational-resources-and-ethnic-studies/
Why it’s valuable:
This site offers free, research-based materials for teaching African American, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander histories and perspectives. It includes textbooks, primary sources, and lesson plans designed to center Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) voices and challenge eurocentric narratives.

In this video, students are introduced to the concept of diversity in a way that is both engaging and age-appropriate. Diversity means that every person is unique and brings their own experiences, cultures, languages, and perspectives to the classroom community. The video highlights that while we may come from different backgrounds or look different on the outside, we all share many similarities such as having feelings, dreams, families, and a desire to belong.

By exploring both similarities and differences, elementary students learn to value what makes each person special while recognizing the common connections that unite us. This understanding builds empathy, respect, and inclusion, helping students form positive relationships and celebrate the strengths within their classroom community.

For school counselors and educators, this type of discussion encourages students to appreciate cultural and individual differences while fostering a sense of belonging for all. It reinforces the message that diversity is not something that divides us, it is what makes our community richer and stronger.