I remember the first person I came out to as an undocumented student–it was one of my club advisors and professors from community college. He took it in stride and maybe even gained more respect and admiration for me as a student.

Then there are academic conferences I attend, be it the American Association of Political Science, International Studies Association, or the American Association of Geographers. The discourse is almost always pro-migrant and save for doing research that casts undocumented populations in a positive light, the Ivory Tower really does not know how to get involved.

There are many undocumented students who do approach counselors, high school teachers, advisors, faculty members and staff at their places of learning and often, the person on the receiving end does not know what to do and how to help. But that may be changing.

Meet Neil and Danielle from Educators for the DREAM Act, two Washington high school teachers who are seriously contemplating building a national alliance in support of undocumented youth.

VISION

To develop a nationwide, grassroots, awareness and advocacy program amongst educators in support of the DREAM Act.

GOALS

1. A SINGLE EDUCATOR (you!?!) from every school in America will make the decision to be their staff’s leader in supporting the DREAM Act, its goals, and the students it would impact.  BE THAT TEACHER!!
2. Every school in America will send a letter in support of the DREAM Act to their US congresspersons and senators.  Ideally each letter would contain as many staff signatures as possible!!!

If you have sympathetic allies in your teachers and counselors or if you are an educator yourself, please consider contacting Neil and Danielle to become part of an alliance.

Also, join their facebook cause here.