Picture Books Can Help Teach Tough Historical and Current Events

Jinnie Spiegler is the Director of Curriculum and Training at ADL, where she has been since 2013. In this capacity, Jinnie is responsible for the oversight, development and creation of curriculum and training efforts including print anti-bias curriculum guides, online resources, anti-bias training and special projects. In addition, Jinnie writes other online education tools and resources, presents at national conferences, writes articles and blogs for ADL and other external publications, oversees the civics education project and serves as an advisor to MTV’s Look Different campaign and the Ad Council’s Love Has No Labels campaigns.

Jinnie has worked for over 20 years in the field of K-12 education for both NYC-based and national educational organizations and institutions. Her professional interests include project-based learning, current events and civics education, children’s literature, social media, anti-bias, diversity and social justice education. Jinnie has a Masters’ degree (M.Ed) in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.

Tara Raju, Education Director for the Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Regional Office, has over 20 years’ experience working with schools, K-12 and higher education, focused on student leadership, anti-bias education and coalition building and systemic change, in cities including, Philadelphia, Chicago, Portland, OR and the Denver metro area. She has a Masters in Social Work from University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in African and Afro-American Studies and Political Science from Washington University, St. Louis.