Jodi Fernandez
I have been teaching at Peekskill High School for the past 16 years. While I have taught a multitude of English courses (AP English, Media Literacy, etc.), I am most passionate about my University in the High School courses, Intro to African/African-American History and Intro to Hip-Hop studies. I have written the curricula for both courses and I enjoy being able to teach truth to power in both. Some of my strengths are truth telling and teaching, inspiring young adults to be their best selves, and dismantling systems of oppression through education. My WHY is because everyone’s humanity matters and must be centered and affirmed, especially members of groups who have been historically oppressed, marginalized, debased and devalued. What drives me is change. I am only interested in doing work that works to undo the damage that race and racism has wreaked on people like me. My work is rooted in historical accuracy, diversity, equity and inclusion.