The Rutgers Graduate School of Education Alumni Association DEI Committee invites you to join for Why Teach Asian American Studies?: An Introduction to AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islanders) New Jersey

New Jersey’s pathbreaking law S4021 “requires school districts to provide instruction on the history and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies” starting in the 2022–2023 school year.  

Teach Asian American Stories (TAAS), an initiative fueled by AAPI New Jersey, is working to ensure that New Jersey’s educators have access to high-quality resources and training to incorporate AAPI history and contributions into their everyday lesson plans.

Free and open to all.

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Dr. Dakashna Lang is a dedicated English teacher with 22 years of experience in Livingston, NJ. In
2024, she was honored as one of the inaugural fellows of the Teach Asian American Stories fellowship with AAPI NJ, and she remains an active TAAS Ambassador. Dr. Lang holds advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Education in Literacy from Rutgers University. Recently, she earned certifications in Educational Technology and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. A 2025 recipient of the ECEA Racial Advocacy Award and the NJEA Human Rights Committee’s Judith Owens Spirit Award, Dr. Lang is deeply committed to advancing social justice and equity in education.