Prologue Part 1: What is a Rebellious Read Aloud Part 2: Rebellious Read Aloud Lessons Introduction to Lesson Format Our NAMES Are Important Our FEATURES Are Important Our TRADITIONS Are Important Our ACTIONS Are Important Our FAMILIES Are Important Our IDENTITIES Are Important Our DISABILITIES Are Important Our FOODS Are Important Our HISTORIES Are Important Part 3: Communicating with Parents, Administrators, and Colleagues Epilogue: Wishes Appendix
Vera Ahiyya, beloved as The Tutu Teacher, empowers educators to spark courageous conversations with children about race, identity, and social justice using read alouds as an entry point.
Vera Ahiyya (nee Corbett) was born in Germany, and raised in El Paso, Texas. Originally a pre-med student, Vera realized her calling as an educator at Austin College in Sherman, TX, a calling shared by many of her family, including her beloved Papa. Vera majored in History and Psychology and earned her MA in Education. Vera has taught Kindergarten and first grade for 16 years in Texas, Massachusetts, and Brooklyn. Vera's love for children's books has led to her becoming an Instagram book influencer where she showcases her love of children's literature and highlights books and authors that discusses the necessity and power of diversity and voice in children's books. Vera uses her extensive online presence to advocate for teachers to be purposeful and always inclusive with their choice of text in their classrooms. Following a video showing Vera discussing racism with her Kindergarten class that went viral and was shown on Good Morning America, Vera was approached to write her first children's book, You Have a Voice which will be released in December 2021. She has other titles in the works. Vera lives in Brooklyn with her husband Lonnell and dog Mozi. You can find her on Instagram at @thetututeacher.