Curriculum Development
Created, Coordinated, or Developed by Danielle Gray
Curriculum Development and Coordination
Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation Curriculum Committee
Through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Buffalo Schools received a grant to create a student college prep course. Using the existing Gates Foundation framework. I worked with the committee to create lessons that help students prepare socially and emotionally for college life.
First Weeks of School
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, our country encountered many instances of overt public racism. In response to both the social emotional and culturally responsive needs of our students in the Buffalo Public Schools, The Office of CLRI formed a curriculum committee. This committee created lessons based on anti-racist practices and resources that English and Social Studies teachers taught for the first two weeks of school. I worked on the 7th and 8th grade lessons, then vetting and editing of the 7-12th grade final copy. The First Weeks of Schools lessons highlight Black history and culture as they seek to bring awareness to the critical issues specific to Black people. However, lessons included all peoples in our story selections and conversation and writing prompts.
Emancipation Curriculum
I worked on a committe that developed ground breaking curriculum written by Buffalo Public School teachers, for Buffalo Public School teachers. As a response to the twin pandemics of Covid-19 and systemic oppression and racism, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Guiding Principles have been included as foundational teaching strategies in an effort to center joy, equity, empathy, and cultural relevance in the lives of students. The curriculum addresses equity, anti-racism, social-emotional learning, and culturally responsive opportunities that edify Black and Brown voices in daily instruction. I developed curriculum, coordinated grade band groups, and vetted lessons for the finalization of the curriculum.
Puerto Rican History & Culture Social Studies Course Development
To honor the rising population of Puerto Rican students in Buffalo Public Schools, The Office of CLRI developed a course for high school students in Buffalo Public Schools. I coordinated a teacher curriculum committee for the development of a New York State approved social studies course based on Puerto RIco history and culture. While coordinating this committee, I met with the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York to delvelop framework for course curriculum. I also met with teacher leaders and staff.