Background: PSESD received proviso funds to contract with a Washington-based Muslim educational organization, with expertise in curriculum about Muslim and Arab history, to develop curriculum that supports Washington teachers in implementing and incorporating lessons on Islamophobia. This two-year project centered Muslim community voices in building the curriculum with the curriculum expert. Puget Sound ESD convened a Muslim Community Advisory Work Group to develop a report of recommendations to support the building of curriculum, professional development and provide resources on Islamophobia for educators. Through this process, we selected leading experts in the field to build curriculum and professional development that support understanding of the Muslim identity, historical context and create a sense of belonging for the Muslim Community to combat Islamophobia. 

This session will be lead by the curriculum development team that consists of experts in the field. They will introduce educators to the purpose, structure, and goals of the curriculum, with attention to Islam, Muslims, Arab societies, Orientalism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab and Palestinian racism. It is meant to increase their knowledge base and cultural proficiency of the interconnected topics related to Islam, Muslims, Arabs, the Middle East. We will examine common gaps, misconceptions, and misrepresentations in K–12 curricula and consider how to teach these topics with accuracy, rigor, care, and cultural responsiveness. The session will provide practical strategies for integrating lessons, readings, videos, and classroom activities into existing courses across grade levels. It will also support educators in facilitating difficult conversations, responding to student questions, and addressing bias or misinformation in the classroom. Participants will leave with concrete tools for using the curriculum to deepen student learning, belonging, empathy, and critical thinking.

Objectives:

• Understanding of the Muslim Identity
• Understanding of historical context 
• Build tools to create a sense of belonging for the Muslim students in the classroom

Clock hour fees will be paid by your grant ONLY if they submit their clock hour claim immediately after the event ends. We will give them 14 calendar days to do this. Anyone who submits a clock hour claim after 7/8/2026, must pay for their own clock hours