Jon GreenbergAn award-winning public high school teacher in Seattle, Jon Greenberg gained broader recognition for standing up for racial dialogue in the classroom — with widespread support from community — while a school district attempted to stifle it.

With nearly 20 years of diverse teaching experiences under his belt, he has long dedicated his teaching career to social justice and civic engagement. Before joining Everyday Feminism, his writing had been published in The Seattle Times and Understanding and Dismantling Privilege.

To read his Everyday Feminism articles, click here.

Location: Seattle, WA

 

Book Jon Now!

To arrange to have Jon speak at your event, please complete this form here and we will be in touch soon.

His presentations include:

  • Teaching a Unit on Race: Practical Lessons on a Taboo Topic: While the Race Unit at the Seattle public high school, The Center School, drew fire in 2013 stemming from the complaint of one white family, the consensus from the past decade of Center students is that the curriculum has been one of the most valuable, transformative part of their high school careers. What does a study of race look like? What lessons does it contain?  And how could other language arts and social studies teachers adapt parts or all of it in their own classrooms?
  • The Race Curriculum Controversy: The Benefits and Costs of Social Justice Teaching: In 2012, the Seattle School Board passed a landmark policy, Ensuring Educational and Racial Equity. That same year, Seattle Public Schools supported one complaining white family opposed to a study of race at The Center School, first by suspending the race curriculum and then by transferring its teacher. What strategies were used to attack the study of race?  And why was the teacher, despite positive yearly evaluations and numerous accolades, so vulnerable to this attack? How can educators protect themselves and the classroom as a safe forum for understanding race and challenging racism? Learn the answers to these questions (and much more) through hearing the inspirational story of the Race Curriculum Controversy.
  • Civic Engagement 101: Connecting Your Classroom to the Community: In a representative democracy, teachers shouldn’t just teach about American government; they should invite students to participate in democratic processes. After all, we can’t expect an active citizenry if we don’t teach our youth methods of engagement. Through this workshop, learn about innovative classroom projects at both the local and state government levels that have students petitioning on the streets, initiating postcard campaigns, and testifying at public hearings. In a recent column, Leonard Pitts recently lamented the lack of classes that emphasize civic engagement. This workshop is part of the solution to fixing that reality—a solution urgently needed.

All topics can be adapted to be presentations, keynote speeches, or workshops and can be tailored to the audience.

If you don’t see a topic that quite meets your needs but think we can cover it, just let us know. We are also willing to create a signature talk or workshop for groups.

 

What Others Have To Say About Jon

More important than teaching awards has been the praise of his work by students and parents/guardians with whom he has worked:

“Good education leaves you with the tools necessary to stand up against issues you see as injustices, and Mr. Greenberg provided all of us with more than a good education.” Ariel Brown, former student (and now a teacher)

“…from my experience as a parent of a student…, this class had a more profound effect on her thinking and choices than anything she did educationally. Teacher like this don’t come along often.” Nancy Muller, parent of a former student

“If it weren’t for his class, I would’ve been another stuck-up kid in the world who judges people constantly. Now I look at people and see more than racial profiles…” Anna Robinson, former student

“…his class was possibly the most important aspect of my high school education, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without that education.” Jack Noe, former student

 

Request a Speaker

We are currently not accepting any new speaker requests. Please contact the speakers directly. Thanks!
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Fees range from $2,000-$10,000+ depending on the speaker, type of presentation, and number of presentations requested. All speaking engagements require at least travel expenses to be covered. If funding is limited, please consider getting co-sponsorships from other groups or nearby colleges in exchange for additional presentations.