“It’s really important that people see themselves represented in the curriculum. You want to make sure that when kids are sitting in classrooms, they see themselves and that they understand that who they are and where they come from and the experiences of their ancestors are valued,” History Department head and teacher, Melissa Moxley said.
Moxley, alongside Social Studies teacher, Brian Pum as well as EHS Supervisor of Secondary Teaching & Learning (Humanities) Jessica Thacher, appeared at a school board meeting to officially propose that the class be offered at EHS. The three have been advocating for the integration of an Advanced Placement African American Studies course at EHS, hoping to diversify the options available to Emmaus High School’s student body.
Shortly into the 2023-24 school year, Moxley, an advisor of the Black Student Union (BSU), proposed the concept to the members — the reaction was unanimous throughout. The class was a must-have.
Senior and BSU president Vanessa Owusu-Anim, spoke on behalf of the union on the proposal of this course.
“People can learn a lot, especially because I feel like now we’re left in the dark, and I feel like our curriculum now isn’t as focused towards black people and their history,” Owusu-Anim said.
Depending on course participation, it will be split into two sections between Social Studies teachers Melissa Moxley and Brian Pum in order to effectively transition the course into the school.
“Expanding our curriculum is a great opportunity for all kids, not just our students of color,” Moxley said. “The more representation everyone sees, benefits everyone.”
The incorporation of a more expansive cultural education is vital for extending a sense of belonging to all students.
“As a district we’ve been focusing on increasing student sense of belonging. One of the pieces of evidence is that our students of color have not seen as big of an increase in the sense of belonging as other groups,” Moxley said.
To have a place where all members of the EHS community feel they have a place where they feel comfortable and safe within the district; this is a highly requested course amongst the student body.
Controlled through the College Board, if approved, the course will be offered to students for the 2025-26 school year. It covers subjects from ancient African tribes, African geography and history, the African diaspora, and then progressing toward modern day, covering the Civil War, civil rights, and up to present day.
“[In other classes] we cover Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King and civil rights, but we don’t talk about the origins of that. They don’t talk about the other people who have an impact on black history,” Owusu-Anim said. “This class will bring a lot more of that.”
EHS requires students to take four year-long social studies courses as a graduation requirement, including a government, American Studies, and world history. Therefore, the class would be unable to replace or fulfill any of the current requirements. The course, which will be a one-credit class, covers one of the humanities credits that students will need to graduate.
The class follows an interdisciplinary structure incorporating topics including art, music, poetry, artifacts, and geography.
“I think it’s something that appeals to a lot of kid’s [interests],” Moxley said. “Even if you don’t like history, there’s other parts that are really interesting. It really gives students that voice and choice.”
Additionally, the class acts as a year-long research project where students develop their skills of analysis, analytical thinking, and creativity, ultimately presenting at the end of the year after the AP exam.
Members of the school board, recipients of the presentation, will make a decision regarding the class’s addition to the curriculum through a voting process, at the next meeting on Oct. 28.
