Putnam County School District teachers and students are celebrating Black History Month. Jessica Suttles, 6th grade teacher from Ochwilla Elementary School, shares her students' excitement for their recent projects.
"The students in my 6th grade Civics class were tasked with choosing a figure for Black History Month that was personally inspirational to them and completing a research study on their life. The diversity of both historical and current figures was spectacular: Mary Mahoney, the first African American registered nurse, poet Amanda Gorman, activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King, the late, great basketball star and founder of the Mamba & Mambacita foundation Kobe Bryant, former President Barack Obama, anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, and civil rights activist Rosa Parks were just a few of the many wonderful people that were studied. The students explored their background, from their educational history to their hobbies, and included photographs from their childhood. They also shared facts about their notoriety and a famous inspirational quote that resonated with them. The students presented their findings to their classmates who were able to ask follow-up questions that lead to great discoveries and conversations. The experience of completing research, especially about a topic or person they were inspired by, truly helped the students appreciate how rich our diverse history is and to honor and appreciate the opportunities these leaders have created for so many around the world."
