About Us
Lifting up Asian American voices and honoring the stories of all people to transform GA schools.
Mission
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Asian American Voices for Education (AAVEd) is a Georgia-based community of parents, students, educators, and activists.
Through advocacy, teacher education, and community engagement, AAVEd works to ensure Georgia K-12 curriculum and educational practices lift and honor the diverse experiences of Asians Americans and communities of color overall.
Vision
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We envision a Georgia where generations of students and families understand how our histories are interwoven and feel empowered to use their education as a catalyst for change and collective action.
We Believe In...
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The humanity of all people
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Working together to create a welcoming school environment in Georgia
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A thoughtful and comprehensive teaching of all histories in statewide K-12 standards.
Our Story
Out of a desire for her three children to learn their and others’ history in the public school setting, one mother began seeking out a path to make Asian American history an integral part of Georgia K-12 education.
After reading Time Magazine’s ”A ‘History of Exclusion, of Erasure, of Invisibility.’ Why the Asian-American Story Is Missing From Many U.S. Classrooms,” which included an interview with Sohyun, a Kennesaw State University teacher educator and fellow Georgian parent, Weonhee immediately emailed Sohyun. Sohyun, who had been dedicating her career to ethnic studies, responded within hours. In the next twenty-four hours, numerous emails were exchanged and a virtual meeting was scheduled. From there, something incredible happened.
In partnership with Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta (AAAJ-Atlanta), Weonhee hosted a town hall meeting on May 25th, 2021 featuring Dr. Sohyun An, Dr. Chris Suh, and AAAJ-Atlanta.
A steering committee of Asian American parents, community members, educators and allies formed to take steps towards transforming the current GA K-12 US History and Social Studies standards.
Our Goal
Although we began with an idea to make Asian American history a part of Georgia K-12 standards, we quickly developed a vision in which the Asian American community would not only promote their own histories, but for those of all communities.
Ultimately, when the stories of all people are taught in the classroom, there is hope for building a welcoming classroom environment for K-12 students in Georgia.
Organizational Accomplishments
150 Educators in Over 22 School Districts
Asian American history was first introduced to Georgia educators in 2022 through AAVEd.
To date, we have reached over 150 educators in over 22 school districts. Below are some ways we were able to accomplish this in 2022.
- Over 600 Educators
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Over 600 Educators
Asian American history was presented and represented for the first time at Georgia Council for Social Studies Conference (GCSS) in 2022 through AAVEd. GCSS is the largest social studies conference in GA with over 600 attendees per year.
- Discussions
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Leading Discussions in Georgia
AAVEd was invited to speak at Georgia Council for History Education’s April virtual session. “Widening our Lens-Integrating Asian American Voices & Perspectives in Social Studies Classrooms”’ was the most attended GCHE session in 2022! Click here for the recorded presentation.
- Development
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Professional Development for Gwinnett County Public Schools Educators
We organized, and we were seen! Our members spoke at the GCPS school board meeting in September 2021. GCPS serves close to 180,000 students and hails as the largest school district in Georgia. AAVEd’s Dr. Sohyun An and Dr. Theresa Alviar-Martin are now working with GCPS Curriculum Department and are leading a series of professional development for the 2022-2023 school year. To date, all registrations have filled as soon as they opened!. We look forward to future partnerships with GCPS!
- Grants
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Georgia’s first Asian American History
AAVEd was granted a $11,000 grant from Center for Pan Asian Community Services’ STOP AAPI Hate campaign. In July & August of 2022, we hosted Georgia’s FIRST Asian American history K-12 educator professional development virtually. Attendees were awarded a $100 Amazon gift card to purchase AsAm books for their school libraries.
Over 600 Educators
Asian American history was presented and represented for the first time at Georgia Council for Social Studies Conference (GCSS) in 2022 through AAVEd. GCSS is the largest social studies conference in GA with over 600 attendees per year.
Leading Discussions in Georgia
AAVEd was invited to speak at Georgia Council for History Education’s April virtual session. “Widening our Lens-Integrating Asian American Voices & Perspectives in Social Studies Classrooms”’ was the most attended GCHE session in 2022! Click here for the recorded presentation.
Professional Development for Gwinnett County Public Schools Educators
We organized, and we were seen! Our members spoke at the GCPS school board meeting in September 2021. GCPS serves close to 180,000 students and hails as the largest school district in Georgia. AAVEd’s Dr. Sohyun An and Dr. Theresa Alviar-Martin are now working with GCPS Curriculum Department and are leading a series of professional development for the 2022-2023 school year. To date, all registrations have filled as soon as they opened!. We look forward to future partnerships with GCPS!
Georgia’s first Asian American History
AAVEd was granted a $11,000 grant from Center for Pan Asian Community Services’ STOP AAPI Hate campaign. In July & August of 2022, we hosted Georgia’s FIRST Asian American history K-12 educator professional development virtually. Attendees were awarded a $100 Amazon gift card to purchase AsAm books for their school libraries.
Grants/Awards Received
Our Team
We are a grassroots group of parents, community members and educators committed to advocating for comprehensive US history to be taught in Georgia K-12 schools.
Join us!
Get in touch
Want to learn more about AAVEd or leave us a message? Fill out this form, and a member of our team will contact you shortly.
