This two-part workshop focuses on equity as it pertains to the adult education classroom. With guidance and facilitation by Dr. Liza Talusan, Associate Instructor at UMass Boston who teaches graduate courses on leadership, equity, and justice, we will build knowledge, refine definitions, explore tools, examine our existing classroom practices, policies, and curricula, and develop action steps to create a more equitable learning environment.
Please note: This course will take place in Blackboard, where you will find all virtual session information, course materials, and additional resources. You cannot access the online course from the SABES website. You will receive a separate email one to two days before the course begins with instructions on how to access the Zoom session. If you do not receive these instructions, please check your Spam folder and/or send an email to nruskin@edc.org.
- Teachers of adult learners of ELA, math, and/or ESOL
This professional development activity/course is designed for:
Session 1: Cultivating an Equitable Teaching and Learning Environment
While diversity and inclusion are important aspects of a teaching and learning community, a focus on equity helps to create structural support in our classrooms. An equity lens requires educators to examine classroom practices (e.g., how we teach), policies (e.g., attendance, evaluation), programs (e.g., activities), and even our class traditions (e.g., celebrations). Join Dr. Liza Talusan as we explore how our own behaviors, attitudes, and teaching practices can uplift equitable classroom experiences, communities, and outcomes.
Between Sessions
Applying elements from Session 1, you will examine an existing instructional plan (e.g., a unit or lesson plan or project) through an equity lens. You will also make notations about areas that you believe you can and should improve as a result of the workshop and bring those notes to Session 2 where we will spend time actively making those changes to your curriculum or project.
Session 2: Moving to Action: Implementing a Culturally Sustaining Teaching and Learning Practice
We have been building knowledge about what it means to be identity - conscious teachers and learners. We have examined our own biases, proximity, and experiences in the classroom through reflective exercises. We also started to develop actions to start, stop, change, or continue practices in our teaching. What happens now? What happens next? In this interactive session, the rubber hits the road as you take your existing instructional planning materials and improve the practices, polices, and activities to build a more equitable approach.
- Differentiate between diversity, equity, and inclusion practices
- Define equity as it relates to teaching and learning
- Identify areas in your teaching practice that can be improved through an equity lens
- Develop action items for improving teaching and learning that are rooted in equity
- Begin to make sustainable changes to the curriculum or project
Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:
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