EthnoTech founders Nancy and Robert share cultural storytelling initiatives with local educators

The Pacific Grove Unified School District held its third LCAP Community Engagement Meeting on April 5, 2025, focusing on enhancing cultural representation and community involvement in education. The meeting aimed to gather input from community members and stakeholders to inform the district's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP).

The session began with a discussion led by a community member who emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the Middle Eastern American population within the district. The speaker expressed a desire to create initiatives over the summer that would make these students feel seen and heard.

Following this, participants shared their backgrounds and interests in cultural representation. Nancy and Robert from EthnoTech introduced their work, which focuses on storytelling to represent Asian American culture. They highlighted their mission to build cultural bridges through narratives that resonate universally while also reflecting the experiences of Asian American students. Their storytelling approach combines traditional tales with contemporary themes, addressing social justice and personal experiences, such as immigration.

The presenters expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with local classrooms to bring their stories to life, particularly a project titled "Red Altar," which chronicles the history of three generations of a family in the fishing industry in the Pacific Grove area. They noted the importance of making these narratives accessible to students and educators, providing a teacher's guide and various learning materials.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further engage the community in discussions about cultural representation in education and to explore actionable steps for the upcoming school year. Participants left with a sense of purpose and a shared goal of fostering an inclusive environment for all students.