Addressing Issues of Difference in Our Communities

Depending on the topic and specific community context, some workshops are appropriate for adults only, while others can be structured as youth trainings or as joint youth-adult sessions. All trainings are steeped in social justice theory and effective practice. At the minimum they are two hours in length. However, they can be designed for a half-day, all-day, weekend, weeklong, or more ongoing format.

1. What we Teach, How we Learn
   Educators will be guided through an examination of the cycle of socialization and how it impacts them personally and in the classroom. It is a great tool for building community among faculty/staff, as it creates a safe space for people to share openly and thoughtfully about their own learning processes and pedagogy.
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2. Diversity 101
   Participants of all ages will be challenged to consider the ways in which they have been socialized to fulfill certain roles in society. Why are some people and their ideas valued in the U.S. while others are disregarded? How can we begin to work collectively to challenge some of the structural inequities? Participants will have the opportunity to answer these questions with one another. The intersections of various "isms" will be explored as participants consider ways to deconstruct the barriers that divide us. Due to the breadth of this topic, it easily lends itself to a workshop series or other ongoing consultation. top
   
   
3. Bridging the Racial Divide: White Teachers and Students of Color
   Statistically, educators in the U.S. are predominantly white. What implications can this have for students of color? Rather than learning "about" students of color or people of color in general, this workshop guides participants of all racial/ethnic backgrounds through an examination of white identity and the power and privileges that come with it. By unearthing assumptions, habits, traditions, and expectations that typically go unnoticed, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of themselves, their colleagues, and ways to promote culturally responsive curriculum. top
   
   
4. The Myth of the Model Minority - Asian Immigrants and Americans in California Schools
   Youth and adult participants will be provided with a critical examination of the commonly understood black/white system of race and racism in the United States. By the end of the workshop, they will be able to deconstruct the origin and effects of "positive stereotyping" of Asian Americans and immigrants. top
   
   
5. I Don�t Know Where to Begin!: Starting Meaningful Conversations about Diversity
   This workshop for youth and adults incorporates core elements of the "Diversity 101" workshop, with the added component setting goals for promoting ongoing dialogue and action within a K-12 community. This is most effective as a minimum half-day workshop and is appropriate for longer and/or ongoing sessions. top
   
   
6. What Next?: How to Take Diversity & Inclusion Efforts to the Next Level
   Intended for K-12 communities that have already begun diversity initiatives, this workshop challenges participants to examine both successes and gaps, as well as to develop concrete steps for moving forward. Perhaps your community has developed and started moving through a strategic diversity plan and is unsure of how to tackle the next level of goals. Or perhaps a series of exciting diversity initiatives were executed successfully, but your community needs help developing ways to deepen the initiatives and make them longer-lasting. Whatever the context, youth and adult participants will feel empowered to continue promoting diversity within their community. This is most effective as a minimum half-day workshop and is appropriate for longer and/or ongoing sessions. top
   
   
7. In My Home: Affirming Diverse Families
   Despite the dominant media portrayal of families consisting of a mother and father with the same racial/ethnic background and their biological kids, the reality is that family structures are far more diverse: gay- and lesbian-parented families, adoptive families, single-parent families, multiracial families, and so on. What can a K-12 community do to affirm all of its current and future families? What specific needs might young people have depending on their family structure? This workshop can be conducted as an overview, but can also be designed to highlight the experiences of a particular family structure. Due to the breadth of family structures, it is also appropriate as a workshop series on diverse families. top
   
   
8. Moving Beyond the Soup Kitchen - Social Justice Education as a Tool for Community Change
   Getting youth involved and keeping them involved in community work are two different things. Youth and adult participants will leave with models for making service more than charity, as well as strategies for getting youth engaged and making sure their voices get heard in the process. top
   
   
9. Addressing Racism in the Classroom
   Participants will begin to consider ways to avoid stereotyping youth performance and behavior based on racial identification or any other socialized identity. An emphasis will be placed on identifying conscious and unconscious stereotypes, assumptions, and discriminatory practices. This workshop also addresses cross-cultural communication and mediation skills that support healthy conflict management. It is appropriate for teachers, advisors, counselors, administrators, specialists, and other instructors. top
   
   
10. "The Prize is Right": Understanding Social Class, Money and Social Power
    This workshop simulates class structure in the United States, including distribution of wealth and class privilege, in order to help participants develop a deeper understanding of class-based prejudice and discrimination. It is appropriate for youth and adults in varying socioeconomic settings. top
    
    
11. Interdependence and Inclusiveness - Developing and Sustaining Diverse Communities
    This workshop focuses on the recruitment and retention of diverse groups. It is particularly appropriate for ongoing consultation or a workshop series, as it can include an examination of school/organization culture, assessment of opportunities for and obstacles to recruitment and retention, and action planning. How can a K-12 community be made more attractive to individuals and families from underrepresented groups and, more importantly, what structural elements are most likely to make them want to stay? While administrators are among the most obvious participants, a community approach is critical. Thus, the involvement of multiple constituents is appropriate. top
    
    
12. How to be an Adult Ally to Young People
    Prejudice and discrimination based on race, gender, class, and sexual orientation are commonly discussed when examining social justice issues in schools. However, the discrimination young people face simply because they are young is often overlooked. In addition to having an opportunity to reflect on and share personal experiences, participants will develop a deeper understanding of the youth they serve and of their own role in empowering youth. top
    
    
13. Creating Safe and Inclusive Classrooms for LGBTQ Youth
    Participants will gain an understanding of systems of heterosexism and homophobia and the ways in which they may unintentionally create unsafe and unsupportive environments for youth. They will develop a deeper understanding of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) identities. This training is appropriate for all ages. top
    
    
14. Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Crisis
    Participants will gain an understanding of how to identify and support LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) youth in crisis. What are the "warning signs" and what is it about sexual orientation and non-traditional gender identity that requires unique intervention? This is especially appropriate for classroom teachers, advisors, counselors, and administrators. top
    
    
15. TRANS-Lating Sexism: A Critical Examination of the Intersections of Sex, Gender & Sexism
    Adult and youth participants in this advanced, interactive workshop will examine (biological) sex and gender roles in the U.S. and the impact of those roles on our behavior. Participants should have a basic understanding of how sexism exists on institutional, cultural and individual levels. They should also have a working understanding of various Trans identities as represented in the U.S. top
    
    
16. Overcoming Barriers to Effective Education
    This workshop incorporates core components of other trainings, namely "Diversity 101" and "How to be an Adult Ally to Young People." What are some of the potential barriers that can exist in a classroom when one or some of an educator's identities are different from those of a student or students? Participants will leave with practical ideas for to creating and fostering a healthy classroom and school community. top