Davis School for Independent Study (DSIS) teacher, Tommy Noyes, brought his Ethnic Studies Students a powerful experience through a partnership with the UC Davis Chicanx Studies Department. His Ethnic Studies Photovoice Project is a testament to the truth and wisdom within the old cliche, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Through the use of Community Engaged Learning (CEL), Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) and the Photovoice Research Method, DSIS students developed critical consciousness and learned the importance of authentically centering and amplifying BIPOC narratives, a foundational principle of Ethnic Studies, while also demonstrating high levels of Civic and Cultural Awareness.

For the Photovoice project, DSIS Ethnic Studies students were matched with UC Davis BIPOC Ethnic Studies students to engage in interviews and photo sharing sessions to hear their stories of challenges and resilience and to understand their perspectives on systems of oppression in their academic journeys. The DSIS students were then tasked with doing additional research and developing narratives that accurately represent the experiences of their BIPOC participants. Then, the DSIS students co-developed recommendations with their participants to address the challenges faced by the BIPOC students, families and communities. This work culminated with a Community Day which included a public exhibition of student work and sharing of recommendations for feedback. 

Through this experience, DSIS students are exposed to stories and narratives that may be counter to the dominant ones they are accustomed to which results in a recognition and respect for differences in values that exist between themselves and those form varying social and cultural backgrounds. By collaborating directly with community partners, conducting targeted research, co-constructing recommendations, and publicly sharing their work, DSIS students develop an awareness of the responsibilities they hold in a diverse society and how they can make contributions to improve it. 

Mr. Noyes Photovoice Project has helped build a coherent connection between Ethnic Studies and the Civic and Cultural Awareness Outcome of the DJUSD Graduate Profile and, as a result, DSIS students are developing their Civic and Cultural Awareness in ways that will serve themselves and others well beyond their junior high experience.


___________________________________________________________________________________

"It was very uplifting.  It gave me a new perspective and opened my eyes on how to be a better ally" 

- Paige

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I am so excited to participate in this inaugural showcase of the collaboration between the DSIS Ethnic Studies class and the university. I am grateful for the opportunity for our students to learn while listening and doing as they come to understand local stories and experiences they may not previously have been aware of.  What an affirmation of their agency as young people to do this learning in the frame of action, where they are working on ways to address current injustice."

-Kate Snow

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Collaborating with UC Davis for Ethnic Studies has been nothing short of extraordinary as a budding teacher in the field. Teaching and learning content for the first time is one thing, but actually experiencing the revolutionary pedagogy of Ethnic Studies alongside my students through UC Davis was transformative for me, my class, my colleagues, and my entire school site. My collaboration with UCD and our DJUSD Ethnic Studies coordinator is easily the most important work I have ever done in my professional life and will shape my approach to education across all subjects for the rest of my career." 

-Tommy Noyes

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

"The Photovoice project is a strong example of what it means to put the Pillars of DJUSD's Strategic Plan into practice - by building vibrant partnerships among DJUSD students, families, communities, and UC Davis. Ethnic Studies encourages students not only to identify problems in their communities, but also to think critically about solutions to issues that impact the district and beyond. Photovoice, as a research method, centers the voices of BIPOC and other marginalized groups. Through photography and storytelling, students bring these voices out of the shadows and into the spotlight—recognizing them as experts with the insight and power to address our communities’ most pressing challenges."

-Castro 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I am honored and deeply grateful to be a small part of this transformative partnership and collaboration with Dr. Castro and Mr. Noyes. We--students, community members, DSIS students, and UC Davis undergraduate students and graduate students--are authentically implementing ethnic studies by decentering whiteness. We used YPAR to facilitate the examination of BIPOC students’ reflections of their educational trajectories through photovoice and testimonies, and what it means to be in solidarity to reconstruct narratives of social change. By centering their stories, we honor their histories, cultures, intellectual traditions, lived experiences, and resistance. One UC Davis student noted in their final reflection, “I’ve truly learned that I do belong, even though the education system wasn’t originally built for someone like me to succeed without intentional support. Ethnic Studies programs are created by us, for us.” Ethnic studies is also about community building, public engagement, well-being and collaboration. This was highlighted by another student’s final reflection: “Now as a college student, the best experience I had working with the DSIS students was listening to their presentations. I loved seeing students work so diligently with us, and to see their hard work culminate into a presentation was truly worth it. Being able to watch their presentations and pick their brains made me realize that I’m on the other side of the classroom now…I was grateful to have Mr. Noyes … and …dialogue with him. His insights on teaching Ethnic Studies and cheerful outlook, makes me excited to be that kind of educator one day. In addition to working with them on their YPAR project, I absolutely adored building community with them and bringing them to the UCD campus. It was fulfilling to be able to tell students about all the work that I’m involved with on campus.”  For its continual success, we need the continued support and investment of the DJUSD leadership, UC Davis scholars and Davis community for the ongoing community capacity building and public engagement. "

-Natalia Deeb-Sossa