In the historic year of 2020, Kamala Harris became the first woman of South Asian and African American descent to be elected as the Vice President of the United States. As an educator, it is essential to teach our students about her journey, accomplishments, and significance in our history. This article will guide you on how to incorporate lessons about Kamala Harris into your curriculum.

Lesson 1: Early Life and Education

1. Begin by discussing Kamala Harris’s early life. Share with your students how she was born in Oakland, California, to immigrant parents from India and Jamaica.

2. Discuss her upbringing and emphasize the importance of a strong support system through her family values.

3. Explore her educational background: She attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics.

Lesson 2: Legal Career & Public Service

1. Discuss her legal career by mentioning her work as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County, California.

2. Present her accomplishment as being the first black woman elected as District Attorney in San Francisco.

3. Talk about her tenure as Attorney General of California.

4. Discuss how Harris prioritized criminal justice reform during this time.

Lesson 3: Election to the U.S. Senate

1. Explain that Kamala Harris was elected as California’s junior senator in 2016.

2. Highlight her work on various political issues and committees during her time in the Senate.

Lesson 4: Nomination & Election as Vice President

1. Introduce Joe Biden’s nomination of Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 Presidential Election.

2. Discuss how she became the first woman of South Asian and African American descent to be nominated for national office by a major party.

3. Explore their successful campaign strategies and policies that resonated with the American public.

4. Conclude with the historical significance of Kamala Harris’s election as the first female Vice President in U.S. history.