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 75 minutes including question and answer period.Friday, September 8, 2023; 4:00 PM Eastern
Education law expert Rick Verstegen will guide you through developing a legally compliant dress code. You will learn what provisions to include and which to avoid.
What You'll Learn
How have dress codes evolved?
Can you impose a mandatory dress code based on gender?
What key provisions allow school boards to set rules for student dress?
How do First Amendment freedoms affect your dress code?
Can you restrict disruptive clothing? What defines “disruptive”?
How do Title IX and other anti-discrimination laws relate to the dress code?
What pitfalls and best practices do recent court cases reveal?
How should you address student and parent objections to dress code violations?
Equity expert Michael Lowe will help you understand how the recent wave of racist violence affects your students. You will learn how to help them cope by teaching about tragedy with head and heart.
What You'll Learn
Why is racial violence particularly troubling to students today?
Why do some students perceive racist violence differently than you do?
How can students manage their emotions and resolve conflicts?
What resources can help students make responsible decisions?
How can you make students and staff feel safe despite community unrest?
What are the best ways to help traumatized teachers and students cope?
Lifelong educator Jessica Camacho will explain how educator-advocates can transform the school experiences of BIPOC students. You will learn what steps to take during the new semester to make this important sector of your school community feel valued and included.
What You'll Learn
What opportunities do you have for advocacy?
What perspectives will help you overcome challenges?
How can you develop and foster cultural competency?
What equity-driven policies should you implement?
How can you identify and overcome implicit and explicit bias?
What anti-racist work can you do within and beyond the classroom?
Equity expert Michael Lowe will help you cultivate and deepen your cultural competence. You will learn how to teach Black history fully and honestly without running afoul of new laws.
What You'll Learn
What assumptions are associated with those historically marginalized?
How do privileges, power, and oppression operate historically?
What systems that persist today sustain inequity?
How can you teach when critical race theory has been banned?
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 your students to develop a love of literacy?
Scheduled for 60 minutes including question and answer period.Monday, September 25, 2023; 4:00 PM Eastern
Seasoned educator and transgender man TJ Huberg will walk you through how you can model and encourage equal treatment of transgender youth at school. You will learn practical ways to recognize pride month and give students the infusion of support and confidence they need to get them through the summer.
What You'll Learn
What exactly does transgender mean?
What laws protect transgender youth?
What is a “bathroom bill”?
What do statistics show about transgender youth and mental health?
How can you support a transgender student?
How can you be an advocate for a transgender student around others?
How can you provide a safe space on campus for transgender youth?
What administrative dos and don’ts should you follow?
Indigenous Affairs journalist and historian Meghanlata Gupta will share insights about tribal nations and tribal diversity. You will learn how to support your Indigenous students.
What You'll Learn
How can you be an ally to Indigenous students?
Where can you learn about tribal histories and contemporary issues?
How can you start essential conversations about allyship in your classroom?
Internationally recognized educator Frank W. Baker will showcase a new education website and graphic novel designed to overcome disinformation and help teach this complex subject. You will learn which information is critical and how to engage students to learn it.
What You'll Learn
What Holocaust disinformation do students often read and hear?
Why has this become a big issue now, prompting a 2022 UN resolution?
What misconceptions abound today?
What do international surveys reveal students fail to understand?
What does media literacy mean?
Where can you find primary sources and personal narratives?
How can you engage students to learn about the Holocaust?
Equity expert Michael Lowe will show you how to identify and combat microaggressions at your school. You will learn how to lead your colleagues in creating a welcoming space for students to learn and thrive.
What You'll Learn
When does treating students as racial group members help them?
When does it harm them?
Why do teachers call students in instead of calling them out?
How can you create an awareness of implicit bias among your students?
What steps can you take to eliminate microaggressions at school?
How can you build a culture of openness where people learn from mistakes?
Lifelong educator Jessica Camacho will detail the essential steps toward creating a positive school experience for all. You will learn how to develop a culture in your organization that enables all students to thrive throughout the school year.
Benefits of Certification
Create brave spaces for dialogue and change
Identify shortcomings in diversity, equity, and inclusion
Redefine practices to ensure all students are valued and heard
Demonstrate your understanding and accelerate your career
Equity expert Michael Lowe will show you how bias affects teacher observations, feedback, and evaluations. You will learn how to measure instruction equitably.
What You'll Learn
How can you observe teaching and give accurate teacher feedback?
How is your view of instructional practices distorted?
Why does bias lead to lower test scores and affect marginalized students?
What specific steps can you take to remove bias from the evaluation process?
