KILLEEN, Texas — A new history course at Killeen Independent School District high schools is the first official history course that specializes in African American history in Texas schools, according to KISD.
The course was piloted in a few large school districts a year ago. Now, KISD students have the chance to take it.
Killeen High School History Teacher Keina Cook has received attention from state historians and national media, including the Washington Post.
“I think the course helps to debunk some of the preconceived ideas we have,” Killeen HS junior Landry Searcy. “Studying this topic allows us to learn truth from different perspectives.”
For many African Americans tracing your roots and ancestry is often a mystery.
"I just recently found out that I am a descendant of the 272 enslaved people that Georgetown University sold to save the university,” said Cook. “I say this to the kids all the time, the more you know yourself the more you can grow into who you are mean to be.”
That is why Killeen Cook has always wanted to incorporate more African American studies in her teaching.
"It’s something I’m really passionate about and advocated for heavily," said Cook.
In class students talk about African traditions, the slave trade and Civil Rights. Cook says the death of George Floyd made the topic even more relevant. She said these kinds of courses are necessary to fill in the gaps in student learning.
"I hope if they take anything away from this, they learn that Black history is American history and that they have a place in this country. They are entitled to the same thing any other citizen is entitled to, and they have a voice."
An African American literature course also launched this year.
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