‘I Have a Dream’: Bring the Spirit of MLK into Your Classroom
Realize the Dream is a call to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by uniting and uplifting communities across America through 100 million hours of service.
By Sarah Mathay-Zurbuchen
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in a life spent in service to a greater, common good. So, as we approach the anniversary of his historic “I Have a Dream” speech this August, we’re once again reminded that we all have the power to change the world—if we only have the vision, the will and the motivation to make it happen.
It’s in that spirit that his son, Martin Luther King III; his wife, Arndrea Waters King (and mentee of Coretta Scott King); and their daughter, Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of the late Dr. King, have launched Realize the Dream.
Realize the Dream is a bold movement to rally communities to perform 100 million hours of service by the 100th anniversary of Dr. King’s birth. It’s a call for us all to reach out to people and causes in need—and make a difference through acts of love, compassion and goodwill.
Will You Help Realize the Dream?
Educators, school staff and families have a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation, to call them to be part of something greater, and help them reap the emotional and tangible benefits of service.
In fact, as an educator, you can play a crucial role in Realize the Dream by incorporating experiential service learning into your classroom. That’s why we’re supporting your efforts with free classroom resources—like lesson packages, campaign guides, issue cards and on-demand programming.
There’s no better time to highlight the importance of service learning than in the months leading up to MLK Day or Black History Month—and by finding ways to extend those lessons throughout the year by connecting them to curriculum standards.
It’s why we’re offering a series of promotional and educational opportunities, including our “Realize the Dream: Answering Dr. King's Call to Service in Your Classroom” webinar, offered as part of Share My Lesson's Summer of Learning Series this July.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:
- Engage your students in service learning, meet your standards, and address real-world community issues that your students care deeply about;
- Connect local issues to content areas such as linking food insecurity to language arts and community service to social studies; and
- Provide Realize the Dream’s easy-to-follow framework—K-12 curriculum, classroom videos, grants and much more—to help you lead, serve, inspire, and connect with the issues you care about in your local and global community.
Be sure to join us!
Track Your Hours, Share Your Stories
You can help us drive momentum by sharing news about Realize the Dream in your classroom and community. You can also help students track their service hours, or share your inspiring stories. We definitely want to hear how your group is inspiring change and making a difference!
“Volunteering and service to others is not just about helping those in need; it’s also about building bridges and fostering understanding between people,” says Martin Luther King III. “It’s an opportunity to step outside our comfort zones and connect with others on a deeper, more meaningful level. It is through these connections that we can begin to break down barriers and build a stronger, better and more unified America.”
Join us, and help Realize the Dream!
About the Author
Sarah Mathay-Zurbuchen’s career is as a lifelong learner with a side of service. With nearly 20 years in the non-profit sector as a leader, teacher and community volunteer, she thrives building strategic partnerships, strengthening community engagement, designing inspiring learning opportunities, and developing impactful education programs. As much as she loves learning, she also loves teaching, particularly English to newcomers to Canada.
Realize the Dream: Answering Dr King’s Call to Service In Your Classroom
Join Education+ to learn how to authentically engage your students in service-learning, meet your standards, and address real-world community issues that your students care deeply about!
Realize the Dream Sweepstakes
Enter the Realize the Dream Sweepstakes for a chance to win a school grant fueling a service campaign in your classroom, school, or community!
Education+ is an inspiring platform of free, experiential service-learning and SEL opportunities and resources empowering teachers and students to become powerful agents of change.
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Tyra M.
July 31, 2024, 1:41 pm
I strongly connect with the ideas in this article. It highlights the importance of helping others and making a positive impact in our communities, which is something I believe in wholeheartedly. I am dedicated to teaching my students the values of kindness, understanding, and being actively involved in making the world a better place. The "Realize the Dream" project is an excellent example of how education should go beyond just teaching facts and figures – it should also prepare students to be leaders who contribute meaningfully to society. By including community service in our lessons, we can honor Dr. King's legacy and encourage our students to become responsible, caring individuals who continue to make a difference after school.
kristyverdi
July 31, 2024, 2:23 pm
What a great program! It ties in with our mission and I cannot wait to share the resources!
Simone_M_3403734
August 7, 2024, 11:20 pm
Such great ideas, what an inspiration!
Joseph Shim
August 8, 2024, 5:42 pm
This campaign will keep growing as a national movement over time. I am so excited to be a small part of a national movement that shows that no matter where we are we can all answer the call to be part of something greater. This campaign will demonstrate how strong we are as a nation and that we care for each other.
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:50 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:50 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:50 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:51 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:51 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Jayne_S_3493255
August 20, 2024, 9:51 am
We all have time, talent and treasure that we can share with others to make our world a better place! The 'Realize the Dream' project is an excellent framework from which to create these opportunities!
Linda Groh
August 22, 2024, 6:34 pm
This is an amazing opportunity to share with our students the ever present question of what are we doing to help others? Realize the Dream gives us the chance to not only share the message of MLK and all that he stood for, but then turning that knowledge into service learning and to truly understand all that MLK called others to do. We are here to serve others, help others, and to empower our students to lead these service initiatives themselves as they grow into adults in our society. I am excited and thrilled to share this program with my students.
Linda Groh
August 22, 2024, 6:34 pm
This is an amazing opportunity to share with our students the ever present question of what are we doing to help others? Realize the Dream gives us the chance to not only share the message of MLK and all that he stood for, but then turning that knowledge into service learning and to truly understand all that MLK called others to do. We are here to serve others, help others, and to empower our students to lead these service initiatives themselves as they grow into adults in our society. I am excited and thrilled to share this program with my students.
Rachel Foster
August 22, 2024, 8:21 pm
With so many hate crimes that have been occurring in our country over the past few years, it is cruicial that we teach our youth about diversity, tolerance and acceptance of others that are different from us.
Kristie Wikane
August 22, 2024, 10:00 pm
I think that the writings and messages of MLK Jr are the perfect vehicle to enact change with the communities we serve.
mdaniels
August 23, 2024, 4:05 pm
At my school, we are dedicated to answering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s call for unity and transformation through service. Our over 95% minority student body is 100% LMI and reflects the rich diversity that is central to Dr. King's vision of a unified and just society.
We actively engage our students in service projects that highlight the importance of community, empathy, and social responsibility. By volunteering at local community centers, organizing events that celebrate cultural diversity, and participating in discussions on social justice, our students are learning the value of working together to address the challenges faced by their communities.
These experiences are more than just activities; they are opportunities for our students to grow into compassionate, thoughtful leaders. They learn to appreciate different perspectives, embrace diversity, and collaborate in ways that foster a stronger, more inclusive society.
In this way, our students are not only responding to Dr. King's call—they are embodying it. Through their actions, they demonstrate that unity and service are powerful tools for transforming our communities and our nation. Their commitment to these values is a testament to the enduring relevance of Dr. King's dream and the role young people play in making it a reality.
mdaniels
August 23, 2024, 4:05 pm
This mission is so close to my heart.
sydneywilson
August 30, 2024, 1:17 pm
What an important message in these very politically-charged times. Education, and service in the pursuit of knowledge and bettering our individual communities, is more important now than ever.
Arlinda Davis
August 31, 2024, 1:16 am
This is truly a needed and amazing initiative that rings loud for the heart of my city! I teach in Birmingham, AL the heart beat of the Civil Rights movement. Our city’s youth have forgotten the dream and fail to realize it’s importance! I am so excited to bring Dr. Kings voice back to the microphone through his son, daughter in love,and granddaughter ‘s desire to reimagine and reignite his dream. I work with critically at risk students, some who have been shot within the last month. I am planning to work with them to spread this message and help heal our city racked with the violence Dr. King spoke against. Service is truly the beginning of healing inside and pouring out on our fellow man. Excited!!! Birmingham get ready for our youth to “Realize The Dream!@
Stacey_R_3457627
August 31, 2024, 4:54 pm
Love this! What an inspiration.
jennykaufman
September 3, 2024, 7:49 am
What a beautiful missions that resonates so strongly with me as an educator!
agapenabi
September 3, 2024, 8:16 am
It is so important to reflect regularly on how we are serving other people
agapenabi
September 3, 2024, 8:16 am
It is so important to reflect regularly on how we are serving other people
agapenabi
September 3, 2024, 8:16 am
It is so important to reflect regularly on how we are serving other people
