Peace Corps Community for Refugees

Mandy Manning Leads Event in El Paso Feb. 17

Join other RPCVs in supporting a “Teach-in for Freedom” led by Mandy Manning, 2018 National Teacher of the Year from Spokane, Wash. Her passion for teaching immigrant students and outspoken advocacy on their behalf, born of her Peace Corps experience in Armenia years ago, have played a powerful role in raising awareness nationwide.

The teach-in will spotlight the Trump administration’s continuing detention of thousands of migrant children even after the closing of the notorious “tent city” in the border town of Tornillo, near El Paso, Tex.

“It’s time for educators to get involved and speak out against the criminalization of these children,” said Manning, who will be joined by teachers from every state.

One goal of the teach-in is to educate the public about the negative impact that weeks of detention can have on children, she says, adding that “separating immigrant children from their parents and detaining children in shelters deprive children of their basic human rights and a quality education.”

Attend the 12-hour event in El Paso, or stream it on Facebook and other outlets on Feb. 17.
Contact the White House, members of Congress and your local newspapers in support of the event.

For more information on the teach-in, go to www.teachersagainstchilddetention.org

To learn how you can get involved in advocating against child detention, see our news article “What You Can Do to Support the Teach-in Against Child Detention.”

The Peace Corps Community for Refugees hosted a special event on October 9 in support of refugees and immigrants with the DC Forum at the New York University, Washington, D.C. Auditorium. Watch a recording of the live event here:

Mandy Manning, National Teacher of the Year, was our keynote speaker.  A Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia and a veteran high school teacher in Spokane, WA,  Mandy has become one of the nation's leading advocates in support of immigrant and refugee students in our public schools. Refugee and immigrant residents also shared their stories, and leaders from faith-based groups and other placement agencies discussed successful ways all of us can mobilize local support for immigrants and refugees.

How You Can Help Spread RPCV’s Positive Message About Refugee and Immigrant Students

By Patricia Nyhan

We are unequivocally supporting 2018 National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning, an RPCV from Armenia who teaches refugee and immigrant students in Spokane, WA. 

Manning has been heavily featured in news stories across America, and her meeting with President Trump was covered by most of the major U.S. news outlets. Her Peace Corps background is mentioned in most of the coverage. You can help boost Manning’s positive message about refugee students in the following ways:

• Consider sending a short letter to the editor of your local paper about Manning. If the paper has failed to cover her, ask why they are not running this important story.
• Write a letter to the editor in response to a news story about an outstanding local refugee student who is  graduating from high school.
• If you notice that Manning plans to make an appearance near you, help with turnout.
• Invite Manning to speak to an organization in your local area such as the Rotary Club, which partners with the National Peace Corps Association.

Please be aware that in many cases, organizations that invite her to speak will need to agree to help cover her expenses. Submit your scheduling request to CCSSO, the nonprofit that administers the National Teacher of the Year, using a request form on their website: https://fs17.formsite.com/ccssowebmaster/form86/index.html

Get to know RPCV-Armenia Mandy Manning in this  CBS interview on YouTube!