Schools need to celebrate, support, understand, and advocate for their diverse communities of students and staff. Topics in this category focus on strategies to foster equity and inclusion.
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Friday, February 4, 4:00 PM Eastern
Equity expert Michael Lowe will share five ways to celebrate American history from the perspective of people of color throughout the year. You will learn how to use and move beyond Black History Month.
What You'll Learn
What actions can you take to be intentional in teaching about culture and experiences from the perspective of people of color?
Why was Black History Month created?
Why do some people oppose its celebration?
How can you eliminate the invisible tax that educators of color face in schools when they choose to teach about Black history outside of February?
How can you dismantle the myths behind the legacy of the enslaved?
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Monday, February 7, 2022; 4:00 PM Eastern
Equity-focused leader Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas, will share strategies from her three co-authored books on identity safe classrooms and schools. You will learn how to strengthen identity safety for students.
What You'll Learn
What is identity safe teaching?
How can you apply identity safe teaching practices?
What research-based strategies will strengthen students’ identities?
How do your background, attitudes, and biases impact students?
How should you prevent bias and stereotyping in the classroom?
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Thursday, February 10, 2022; 4:00 PM Eastern
Educational diversity and equity expert Naomi Sigg will share definitions of these key concepts and strategies for those who experience them. You will learn how to combat feelings of exclusion and isolation to build a more equitable and inclusive school community.
What You'll Learn
How do imposter syndrome, stereotype threat, biases, microaggressions, and tokenization leading to hypervisibility affect students?
What strategies will help those feeling isolated?
Where can you find support resources for people faced with exclusion?
What behaviors and skills will help you combat exclusion and isolation?
What efforts will improve student and staff retention, morale, and satisfaction?
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Tuesday, February 15, 2022; 4:00 PM Eastern
Kim Brady will share stories of her coming out as a teenager over 30 years ago and explain how being an open lesbian has helped her carve out a space of belonging personally and professionally. She will convey case studies and provide tools you can use to create a safe space for students, families, and colleagues.
Topics Covered:
Why do LGBTQ+ individuals have to navigate safety daily?
What are the assumptions of heterosexuality and heteronormative behaviors?
How do stereotypes and the power of language influence students?
How have terms, labels, and language changed?
How do sexual identity and gender identity differ?
How has the pandemic increased abuse, suicidality, and homelessness?
What are the red flags for mental health concerns?
How can you recognize shame?
What specific steps can you take to create a safe space?
Scheduled for 75 minutes including question and answer period.Wednesday, February 23, 2022; 3:00 PM Eastern
Equity expert Michael Lowe will lead this powerful training webinar that you can use across your organization. Every member of your team will learn how to contribute to a diverse and supportive organization that fosters inclusion and multiplies success.
What You'll Learn
Does treating people as racial group members help or harm them?
How can everyone throughout the organization counteract racial inequality?
What does everyday antiracism require?
How can a racial lens distort people’s experiences?
How do BIPOC add extraordinary value to the workplace?
What steps should each team member take to promote inclusion?
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Wednesday, February 16, 2022; 4:00 PM Eastern
Early childhood education expert Bweikia Steen will discuss research related to the preschool-to-prison pipeline, specifically focusing on African American girls. You will learn practices to promote positive social-emotional and academic development during the early years.
What You'll Learn
What does research reveal about young, Black females’ challenges?
What developmentally appropriate strategies will help African American girls?
How can the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework help?
What steps can you take to counter the preschool-to-prison pipeline?
What practices should you use to promote social-emotional development?
Why is it essential to intervene quickly while students are young?
How does adultification harm your students?
What roles should administrators and teachers play to solve this problem?
Equity and education expert Jessica Camacho will show you how to conduct a curriculum audit step-by-step. You will learn how to identify quick wins and lasting changes to benefit your school’s DEI program and all your students.
What You'll Learn
What is a curriculum DEI audit?
Do all schools need a DEI audit?
How can you best evaluate curriculum language, resources, and lessons?
What immediate steps can you take to amplify content and quality?
What does it mean to be equity-driven and equity-minded?
LGBTQI+ advocate Kim Brady will convey case studies, share personal anecdotes, and provide tools you can use to create a safe space for students, families, and colleagues.
Topics Covered:
Why do LGBTQ+ individuals have to navigate safety daily?
What are the assumptions of heterosexuality and heteronormative behaviors?
How do stereotypes and the power of language influence students?
How have terms, labels, and language changed?
How do sexual identity and gender identity differ?
How has the pandemic increased abuse, suicidality, and homelessness?
What are the red flags for mental health concerns?
How can you recognize shame?
What specific steps can you take to create a safe space?
Equity expert Michael Lowe will show you how reading instruction affects students and share concrete strategies you can implement immediately to improve equity. You will learn how to update both curriculum and instruction.
What You'll Learn
How can you deepen the cultural competence of your school community?
What is the history of literacy instruction and schooling in the U.S.?
How do privileges, power, and oppression sustain inequity?
How can you teach historically underserved scholars to develop a love of literacy and sustained attention to meaning while reading?
Education leader and equity expert Michael Lowe will explain critical race theory. You will learn how to navigate the law and curriculum for your school.
What You'll Learn
How can you cultivate and deepen cultural competence in your school?
What are the tenets of critical race theory?
How do privilege, power, and oppression sustain inequity?
Can you teach similar concepts if critical race theory has been banned?
Equity expert Michael Lowe will share specific strategies you can use to engage black and brown parents to improve your school. You will learn how to help all students benefit from the cultural insights parents provide.
What You'll Learn
What are the cultural differences in your school and community?
How should you survey parents about diversity and equity?
What steps can you take to empower and engage black and brown parents?
How can cultural wisdom affirm children?
What antidotes to systemic racism can schools provide to students?
