To celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we're highlighting a story from our Hidden Voices series about Bernice Sandler, the first Chair of the National Advisory Council on Women’s Educational Programs and champion of the groundbreaking Title IX law that transformed student athletics and gender equity in the United States.
Learn more about how Bernice Sandler became known as the "Godmother of Title IX" on Hidden Voices
During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're highlighting the stories of individuals who have often been left out of traditional historical records, like Anna May Wong, the first-ever Chinese American movie star, who captivated audiences, earned critical acclaim for her performances, and dared to break free of Hollywood’s early to mid-twentieth century typecasting practices for nonwhite actors.
Learn more about how Wong made Hollywood history on Hidden Voices
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Throughout the week, we’re showing our gratitude to the nearly 75,000 NYC Public Schools educators who shape the lives of our students each day.
These book recommendations celebrate both the real-life and fictional teachers breaking barriers, encouraging students to reach their full potential, and making a difference in their communities. They also remind us to thank educators for their hard work and dedication to our schools and students!
Early Readers (3-K–Grade 2)
- Dear Teacher: A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us, by Paris Rosenthal; illustrated by Holly Hatam
- I Love My Teacher!, by Frances Gilbert; illustrated by Eren Unten
- A Letter to My Teacher, By Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
- Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and her Secret School, by Janet Halfmann; illustrated by London Ladd
Elementary (Grades 3–5)
- BenBee and the Teacher Griefer, by K.A. Holt
- Carter Avery’s Tricky Fourth-Grade Year, by Rob Buyea
- The Teachers March! How Selma's Teachers Changed History, by Sandra Neil Wallace and Rich Wallace; illustrated by Charly Palmer
- Thank You, Mr. Falker, By Patricia Polacco
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
- Because of Mr. Terupt, By Rob Buyea
- Fish in a Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
- Love That Dog, By Sharon Creech
- The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt
Upper Grades (Grades 9–12)
- Between the Lines, By Nikki Grimes
- The Freedom Writers Diary, by the Freedom Writers with Erin Gruwell
- Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels who Helped Spark a Revolution, by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
- Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt
You can find these books and many more great reads on Sora, our Citywide Digital Library, which provides free access to thousands of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. And don’t forget to share your appreciation for your teachers with the NYCPS All Stars Tool!
Missed our previous book recommendations?
Check them out in the "What We're Reading" Archive!
SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SCHOOLS
Over the past month, we've seen some incredible examples of teamwork from our students!
On Earth Day, Chancellor Samuels stopped by PS 14 in Queens, where students and teachers worked together with NYC Parks staff members to plant six new trees! It was great seeing everyone work together to help beautify the PS 14 campus—thank you, NYC Parks, for partnering with us to make this year's Earth Day a memorable one for PS 14!
And in early May, PS 111 in the Bronx hosted District 11's Fifth Annual Soap Box Derby, where groups of students from schools across the Bronx built soap box cars for bragging rights and a shot at racing glory! At every participating school, students worked together in teams to research and build their soap box cars—what we saw at this year's Derby was the result of hundreds of hours of dedicated engineering work by our students and staff members. It was great fun seeing students' competitive spirits on full display, and we thank everyone who made this year's Soap Box Derby possible!
