Indigenous Central America Educator Workshop Highlights and Resources

On November 9, 2022 Teaching Central America, a project of Teaching for Change, hosted an educator workshop focused on Indigenous Central America. Many students in U.S. classrooms can trace their roots to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, as well as other Central American countries, yet the history of the region is largely absent from U.S. curriculum. There is even less regional-specific content focused on Central America’s rich and centuries-old Indigenous cultures, such as the Mayans.

Jonathan Peraza Campos, middle school teacher and Teaching Central America program specialist with Teaching for Change, facilitated this interactive session to provide teachers with strategies and resources for introducing the Indigenous history of Central America in their classroom. Sixty-one participants explored the Quiche Maya ancestral story, including the Popol Vuh and the Maya origin story, which highlights the importance of corn and nature to the Maya. They also learned about the Garifuna and other Indigenous communities throughout Central America and made connections to Indigenous communities and the challenges they face today.

Below find a recording and resources shared during the workshop.

Here are a few reactions from participants who joined in from across the country:

I am going to search out more Indigenous storytelling to incorporate into my Spanish classes. I love the framing of a culture of resistance and want to see if I can decolonize my lessons more. 

I was especially fascinated learning more about the role that corn has played in Mayan history and culture, examples of genocide and modern resistance movements in Central America, and the legacy of the Garifuna people.

By helping students understand that we never crossed the borders, they crossed us. That no one can truly own the earth and why it is important to respect and understand one another.

Really appreciated the interactive nature. It helped me stay engaged, kept my mind thinking and I liked being able to talk in small groups for some more personal connection. I am going to share this info with my literacy team and consider how we might feature Indigenous voices, histories, and stories in our work. 

I learned much more about the Garifuna. There were also so many resources shared by the presenters and attendees. It was great!

The richness of the Central American region of the world. Wow! This session was wonderful and I learned so much about how to approach my curriculum through a different lens.

Workshop Recording

 

CENTRAL AMERICA QUIZ

Test your knowledge with this learn-as-you-go quiz.