First-Gen Students Documentary

A mini-documentary series to explore the power of first-generation students.

First-generation students are crafting new chapters in the stories of their families and communities.

Watch the Stories

“Knowing our stories and

histories empowers us.”

- Chantadeth Chanthalangsy, First-Gen Storyteller

 

Storytelling Curriculum to Harness the Power of Students’ Stories

As we crafted the First-Gen Mini-Documentary series we also designed a curriculum for educators to engage their students in an empowering, critical, and asset-based storytelling process. Twice a year, we offer a workshop for educators and youth service professionals to learn how to use this curriculum, the first-gen videos, and other storytelling resources in their classrooms and programs.

 
 

About the Curriculum

  • We start by co-crafting principles of trust, community agreements, and discussing the Storytellers Bill of Rights for asset-based storytelling.

  • We discuss story-harvesting activities to help students explore key moments, experiences, memories, and to identify the story they want to tell.

  • We discuss story-crafting and story-writing techniques to help students develop their stories.

  • We discuss various outlets and mediums to share stories as a way to engage in storytelling as a practice of freedom.

  • We discuss how to facilitate story circles and embed reflective and appreciation activities throughout the entire storytelling process.

 

“Your education is a power that

no one can take away from you.”

- Taejonae McKensie, First-Gen Storyteller

Meet the First Gen Storytellers