Evin Shinn, who teaches 11th grade US History and Language Arts at Cleveland High School in Seattle, Washington, works with his students to address issues of social justice.

Throughout America, educators who are still conducting classes are struggling with how to address issues of social justice with their students. One such educator is Evin Shinn, who teaches 11th grade US History and Language Arts at Cleveland High School in Seattle, Washington.

Evin is one of only three African American teachers at his school, even though 90% of the student body is students of color, and 20% is African American. Because he is Black, Evin feels compelled to address the current protests and issues of social justice with his students, despite the difficulty of broaching the subject. “It’s hard because as a teacher, you’re not a therapist, you’re not a social worker, you’re not a doctor or a nurse—but those are all roles we take on when you become a teacher,” Evin remarked in an interview with Education Week (June 1, 2020). “Particularly as a Black educator, it’s so important to show up for students in moments like this.”

When protests erupted throughout the country this week in response to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, Evin sent text messages to his students to tell them he wasn’t assigning any work this week. Instead, he told his students they should do something to combat racism. He suggested they write a letter to elected officials, make a protest sign, or write a poem that reflected on inequities and the protests.

Next the compassionate teacher sent a text message to each one of his African American students individually to ask them if they were OK and if there was anything he could do for them. “I was very open,” Evin said. He told the students, “I’m feeling definitely sad, and I’m feeling hopeless and angry, and I feel rage,” he revealed. He asked them, “How are you doing? How are you feeling?” The students who responded confessed they felt like this week has been “one big emotional roller coaster.” One student said they were avoiding social media because there’s “a lot going on, and it’s really sad.” In addition to reaching out to the kids, Evin held a virtual class meeting on Wednesday to give his students additional opportunities to talk and process their emotions.

Evin is just one of many educators who is working diligently with their students as they try to cope with current events in meaningful and constructive ways. He is a true Chalkboard Champion! To read more about him and other educators addressing today’s current events with their students, read the full article at Education Week.