A Session at the 2025 California Council for the Social Studies Conference Presented by Katie Quan, with article introduction by Leonard Chan

A former AACP associate board member, Katie Quan (who is now the executive director of her own business called REALSOUL), did a presentation at the recent CCSS Conference in Burlingame, California.

(The following is taken from some of Katie’s presentation.)

With Ethnic Studies becoming a requirement in 2025-2026, what does it actually mean to teach the subject? This presentation will speak to the subject’s origin story, its pedagogy philosophy, and what teachers must do in order to work the subject and their classroom as best as possible.

Defining Ethnic Studies

Ethnic studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that encompasses many subject areas including history, literature, economics, sociology, anthropology, and political science... It is important for ethnic studies courses to document the experiences of people of color in order for students to construct counter-narratives and develop a more complex understanding of the human experience... However, central to any ethnic studies course is the historic struggle of communities of color, taking into account the intersectionality of identity (gender, class, sexuality, among others), to challenge racism, discrimination, and oppression and interrogate the systems that continue to perpetuate inequality.

(At this point, Katie’s presentation included some examples of how some students used art to do their ethnic studies projects)

Ethnic Studies Pedagogy

Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum as outlined by the California Department of Education

About REALSOUL

REALSOUL is a curriculum-based arts organization that fosters cross-cultural solidarity and ignites collective action through curriculum, programming, and workshops.

Three Steps to Bringing Ethnic Studies to Your Classroom (Handout given at this session)