Caucuses

Arab Caucus

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Arab Caucus is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community that affirms and celebrates the diverse identities, experiences, and contributions of Arabs within and outside of NCTE spaces. Our mission is to create a supportive affinity space where Arab teachers can connect, collaborate, and lead initiatives that elevate Arab joy, identity, and literature. Our objective is to support our Arab American students’ identities and literacies through an exploration of culturally and critically sustaining pedagogies. We aim to champion and elevate the histories and lived experiences of Arab American students in their educational spaces so their voices are heard and valued. Our core principles stem from our commitments to enacting equity and justice in their learning spaces. This platform would provide opportunities for professional development with mutually supportive members who are dedicated to advocating, fostering, and enriching the learning outcomes for our Arab American students. Together, we strive to build a future where Arab narratives are fully integrated into the fabric of English education, inspiring empathy, critical thought, and transformative learning.

Contact Information

Dr. Sawsan Jaber, NBCT
Maine West District 207, Des Plaines, IL
Education Unfiltered Consulting

Rashida Mustafa, PhD Candidate
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY

Issues of Focus for the National Teachers of English Arab Caucus

Affirming Arab Identity

Promote authentic representation of Arab cultures, histories, and identities at educational institutions and within NCTE.
Address misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Arab communities in educational spaces.

Arab Literature & Storytelling

Elevate Arab authors and diverse narratives across genres in the curriculum.
Integrate Arab literature into reading lists and classroom discussions to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Equity & Advocacy for Arab Students

Address systemic inequities affecting Arabs in schools.
Address systemic inequities affecting Arabs within NCTE.
Advocate for culturally responsive and inclusive policies that support the academic and social-emotional well-being of Arab students.

Professional Development & Leadership

Offer training and workshops focused on culturally sustaining pedagogy, antiracist teaching, and Arab-centered education.
Empower Arab educators to take on leadership roles and influence educational policy.

Networking & Community Building

Create spaces for Arab educators to share resources, experiences, and strategies.
Foster mentorship opportunities to support Arab teachers and students.

Solidarity & Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Build partnerships with other affinity groups and organizations to promote intersectional solidarity.
Advocate for broader recognition of Arab experiences within the context of global citizenship and social justice.
Build collaborative movements and action with co-conspirators to advocate against the dehumanization, criminalization, and erasure of Arabs in educational settings.

Intended Goals

Host a virtual event for the membership celebrating Arab heritage month using NCTE platforms.
Host an Arab affinity gathering at the NCTE Annual Convention.
Host a track of sessions at the NCTE Annual Convention focused on the goals mentioned above.
Collaborate with NCTE leaders to advocate for Arab voices in featured programming, including main stage and featured sessions at the Annual Convention
Collaborate with NCTE leaders on messaging pertaining to current events and/or social and educational issues to prevent exclusionary and harmful practices targeting Arab students and their communities.
Plan and execute quarterly virtual book talks with Arab authors elevating new works and events relevant to Arab American students that teachers should be responsive toward.