Jon Greenberg is an award-winning public high school teacher and writer whose work has been featured in Everyday Feminism, NPR, The Huffington Post, Teaching Tolerance, and Yes! Magazine. Creator and facilitator of the curriculum once named Citizenship and Social Justice, he has dedicated his career to social justice and civic engagement for nearly 20 years, including working to ensure ethnic studies is taught throughout Seattle schools and beyond. He is co-founder of the NAACP Youth Council, uniting students across the Puget Sound area into one coalition for racial justice.
To contact Jon Greenberg, click here. For a listing of presentations available for booking, click here.
Teaching Accolades
- Seattle University College of Education Outstanding Alumni Certificate of Achievement (2018), chosen by the Seattle University College of Education
- Golden Apple Award (2017) “in recognition of [my] ongoing commitment and dedication to the development and implementation of Ethnic Studies within Seattle Public Schools,” awarded by the Seattle King County NAACP
- Courage in the Pursuit of Social Justice Award (2015) for “[my] courage in undoing racism in Seattle public schools classrooms, despite administrative attempts to interrupt [my] work,” chosen by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), University of Washington Chapter
- The Mayor’s Award and Proclamation (2013), chosen by the Seattle Human Services Coalition and won by members of the Center School community who fought for the reinstatement of the race and gender curricula–including Courageous Conversations
- Crosscut Courage Award Nominee (2013), nominated by an unknown source
- Three-time Center School Teacher of the Month for Excellence in the Classroom (March 2012, January 2012, and one month in 2011), chosen by Principal Britsova during the two years she offered this recognition
- Seattle University MIT Program Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award (2010), chosen by the Seattle University MIT faculty
- Seahawks, Symetra Heroes in the Classroom (2008), nominated by Principal Vance
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Award (2007), selected by the City of Seattle and the Seattle Center and won by the political activism group I facilitated, Students Inspiring Political Activism
- Stewardship Award (2005), chosen by the Seattle Human Services Coalition
- Paul Robeson Peace and Justice Youth of the Year Award (2005), won by Citizenship and Social Justice juniors
- Seattle Student Voices Civics Award (2004), won by Citizenship and Social Justice juniors in a civics fair competition
- Voices and Faces of Civic Participation Recognition (2004), selected by the Seattle City Club
In the News
2019
Issaquah School District denounces racist poster, vows diversity and equity training, Q13 Fox
Black Lives Matter at School Week: A complex, important time of learning, Seattle’s Child
Seattle students mark Black Lives Matter at School Week, The Seattle Globalist
Seattle schools need fewer cops, more counselors, students say, KUOW
‘Black Lives Matter At School’ rally to demand changes in Seattle schools, King 5
It’s ‘Black Lives Matter at School Week’: Why that matters, and how classrooms are taking part, The Washington Post
Racist depiction on Roosevelt High newspaper cover presents ‘an opportunity for us as a district to get it right’, The Seattle Times
NAACP Youth Coalition students call for change, King 5
Racial Equity Teams Gather at Saturday Institute, Seattle Education Association Blog
2018
Impeach Kavanaugh!, Seattle Education Association Blog
Supporting Survivors, Opposing Kavanaugh, The Socialist Worker
Race and Parenting Special, King 5
Seattle school for refugees, immigrants: a dumping ground for problem principal?, Crosscut
Race & Parenting: How we talk to our kids about race, racism and identity (episode 2), King 5
Amid anti-immigrant and racial clashes, ethnic studies programs blossom in public schools, The Los Angeles Times
It’s ‘Black Lives Matter at School Week.’ Here’s what’s happening at schools in cities around the country., The Washington Post
Seattle High School Students of Color Demand Their Voices Be Heard, The Seattle Weekly
Seattle Educators, Students Primed for “Black Lives Matter at School” Week, South Seattle Emerald
Seattle teachers to participate in ‘Black Lives Matter at School’ week, King 5
Seattle students call for race issues to top district agenda, King 5
2017
Ethnic Studies: A Movement Born Of A Ban, NPR
Seattle School Board passes ethnic studies resolution, King 5
Students’ Year-long Social Justice Projects Combat Islamophobia and Racial, Gender Stereotypes, South Seattle Emerald
The Great Divide: Growing up in Rural Washington as a Muslim Immigrant, The Seattle Met
Daring and Dynamic Dismantlers Episode Two podcast interview, CRREW Collective
Flipping the script: White people and allies of color share stories of interrupting whiteness, KUOW (Watch the video here)
Seattle Can Be An Unfriendly Town for Students of Color. A New Campaign Aims to Set That Right, The Progressive
Students push Seattle school board to support ethnic studies as central to the American experience, NEA’s EdJustice
Ethnic Studies Courses Break Down Barriers and Benefit Everyone—So Why the Resistance? , YES! Magazine
Students tell Seattle school board Ethnic Studies needed, The Seattle Globalist
Educators, Students Press School Board to Scrap “Whitewashed” History Lessons, The Seattle Weekly
Seattle Schools may make ethnic studies mandatory, KUOW
NAACP proposes adding ethnic-studies curriculum to Seattle schools, The Seattle Times
NAACP Launches Movement to Make Ethnic Studies Mandatory in Seattle Schools, The Seattle Weekly
NAACP proposes mandatory ethnic studies in Seattle schools, KUOW
NAACP Advocates for Ethnic Studies in Seattle Public Schools, South Seattle Emerald
Martin Luther King Jr. Day march in downtown Seattle calls for social justice, Q13 Fox TV
Thousands of Seattle Public Schools teachers wear ‘Black Lives Matter’ T-shirts to classes, Q13 Fox TV
Seattle Educators to Demonstrate BLM Solidarity in District-wide Action, South Seattle Emerald
2016
Why we need to save social justice teaching, The Seattle Globalist
2015
10 Teachers and Professors Who Have Come Under Fire for Addressing Racism and White Privilege, Atlanta Blackstar
Teachers under scrutiny for lessons on social justice, The Sentinel of Nathan Hale High School
Members organize across the district for Center School teacher; Superintendent responds by reducing 
suspension’s impact, The Unity Newsletter of the Seattle Education Association (see picture)
Teacher in controversial race class returns to school, KIRO TV
Seattle Center School teacher won’t skip over the tough stuff, The Seattle Times
Suspension stands but popular Seattle teacher heads back to classroom, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Center School seniors to Seattle Public Schools: Give us back our teacher, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle Schools slap reinstated teacher with 2-week suspension, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Jon Greenberg, Class of 1991, a profile in Quaker Times, the Franklin High School Alumni Newsletter
2014
Social justice teacher at Center School wins reinstatement, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle School Board Meeting, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle School Board Meeting Tonight, Seattle Schools Community Forum
School Board challenged: Is there risk in teaching race?, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Is the Seattle School District squelching candid talk about race?, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
2013
Seattle teachers deserve more, The Socialist Worker
County Council members want popular Center School teacher restored, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Center School students awarded for speaking out in teacher controversy, Queen Anne and Magnolia News
Center School kids get award, but not their teacher, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Center School Students Receive Mayor’s Award for Fighting School District’s Shutdown of Race and Social Justice Class, The Stranger
Center School Award from the City (and what McGinn had to say), Seattle Schools Community Forum
Popular Seattle Teacher Forced Out for Teaching Kids About Racism, Takepart
Popular Seattle Teacher Forced Out for Teaching Kids About Racism, Yahoo News
Seattle Education Association Rep Council Resolution on Center School Teacher, Seattle Schools Community Forum
“This Class Changed My Life…”, Let Kids Be Kids Advocacy Blog
Justice for all?, Supporting Education Blog
Seattle Public Schools stumbles on race, teacher Jon Greenberg, The Seattle Times
Friday Open Thread, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Free Jon Greenberg, KIRO Radio
Center School Staff and Students Plan to Protest at School Board Meeting Tonight, The Stranger
‘Free’ the Seattle teacher being punished for talking about race, KIRO Radio
Supporters protest Seattle teacher’s transfer, The Seattle Times
Frank talk about touchy subjects best lesson of all, The Seattle Times
Reinstate our teacher!! Center School’s passionate message to Seattle School Board, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Teacher transfer protested, Crosscut
School Board Meeting Testimony List, Seattle Schools Community Forum
School District May Transfer Teacher Whose Race and Social Justice Curriculum Drew Controversy, The Stranger
District should not censor curricula, The Sentinel of Nathan Hale High School
Curriculum Disruption at Center School, Ballard Talisman of Ballard High School
Seattle Public Schools’ Courageous Conversations curriculum, The Seattle Times
Courageous Conversations: race and gender curricula, The Seattle Times
District reinstates Center School class on social justice, Queen Anne and Magnolia News
Seattle Teachers’ Union Votes to Support Use of “Courageous Conversations” Curriculum at Center School, The Stranger
Race and Class, Our District and…Fundraising?, Seattle Schools Community Forum
In a word: How does Seattle Public Schools treat minority schoolchildren?, The Seattle Times
Controversial class on race to resume — with changes, The Seattle Times
Breaking: Center School Race and Gender Curriculum Reinstated—Mostly, The Stranger
Seattle Public Schools reinstates, limits social justice class, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Seattle schools chief reinstates suspended curriculum on race, KPLU
Center School Ruling, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Curiouser and Curiouser, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Decision nears on reinstating suspended high-school course on race, The Seattle Times
Why it’s a good idea for Seattle’s students to talk about racial preferences, The Seattle Times
Mr. Greenberg’s Opus at Last Night’s School Board Meeting, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Expect Some Passion at Tonight’s Board Meeting, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Are Seattle Schools Racist?, The Stranger
Solid Ground supports teaching youth about race and social justice, Solid Ground Blog
Controversy grows over school district stopping race and gender curriculum, The Stranger
District suspends ‘race and social justice’ class after complaint, KOMO 4 TV (video)
Center School students galvanized by class suspension, KIRO 7 TV (video)
Seattle School District orders teacher to stop teaching class on race, KIRO 7 TV
Center School Race and Social Justice Class Issue Heats Up, Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle High School Teacher’s Race and Social Justice Curriculum Suspended After Parent Complaint, The Stranger
Before 2013
Students learn about difficult choices facing King County, Queen Anne and Magnolia News
“What Democracy Looks Like,” Real Change
Teens sing out on budget cuts, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“Part of the Budget,” Real Change
Students make an unusual show of support for human services, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
